By Aileen Robertson

FIFE MEALS on wheels workers have defended their decision not to work at the weekend and have denied putting vulnerable people at risk.

All five of the region’s meals on wheels kitchens were out of action as staff dug their heels in over a Fife Council pay review.

According to the workers, the social work department was informed on Thursday afternoon that there would be no-one to deliver hot food to recipients, including the elderly and disabled.

One worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said she and her colleagues were not under contract to work at weekends.

She said, “It wasn’t a strike because none of us have contracts. All of us received phone calls on Thursday afternoon to see if we were available. We simply said we weren’t available to work.

“We didn’t leave any of our clients vulnerable. We made sure they had food in the house and if there were family members there we let them know what was going on.

“If we thought anyone was at risk we reported it to the home care managers.

“For the past 19 years, driver/ handlers have delivered an unbroken meals on wheels service, going out in all weathers.

“We’re very angry because we wouldn’t do this job if we weren’t caring people. Sometimes you are the only person a client sees all day.

“We still care. We have just been pushed to the limit.”

None of Fife’s 1000 meals on wheels clients received a hot meal from the service over the weekend.

Staff at the service are protesting against moves to pay casual workers less than permanent council employees, and loss of weekend enhancements.

Two representatives from all five meals on wheels kitchens have been invited to discuss the pay review at a meeting with union representatives this afternoon.

Yesterday, council officials maintained that meals on wheels staff had left it until late on Friday before making clear their intention not to work.

However the source, who is permanently employed by the council, told The Courier this was not the case.

She said, “I’ve done this for nine and a half years, working every second weekend, and I have had 100% support from my clients. I was told, ‘Good on you, you do a marvellous job.’ We are not taking this lightly. And we haven’t done anything wrong. All we did was say we weren’t available for work.”

Council spokesperson for human resources, Councillor Bob Young, said, “It only became apparent late on Friday that staff were not going to work normally over the weekend. Social work has a duty of care to ensure that vulnerable clients receive the service that they are entitled to.

“Despite the short notice, with the good will and co-operation of staff, social work were able to put into place alternative arrangements very quickly that meant no service users were left at risk.

“It’s very disappointing to be in this situation. It was agreed to meet with this group of staff and the union to discuss their issues further, and a provisional date has now been set.

“We are hopeful that through discussion and the use of official channels a resolution can be achieved.”