Staff working at a Dundee charity could soon launch strike action amid a dispute over holiday entitlement.
Employees of Dundee Independent Advocacy Support, based at The Circle on Staffa Place, are set to vote on whether to take industrial action.
Unite the union say the dispute centres on an enforced change to terms and conditions effecting Unite’s membership at DIAS.
This includes the removal of holidays which were previously given instead of an annual pay award.
The independent charity supports those who experience disadvantage, disability and social exclusion within the Dundee area to express their needs and wishes around their health and wellbeing.
It currently employs seven people with the ballot opening on Thursday and closing on February 20.
If members vote in favour of industrial action then strike action and an overtime ban is likely to take place from early March 2020.
Unite regional industrial officer, George Ramsay said: “Unite is holding a ballot at the DIAS due to the organisation imposing changes to the terms and conditions of our members.
“The changes will result in the removal of holidays which were given instead of an annual pay increase.
“The newly appointed DIAS Board have decided to withdraw these holidays. To make matters worse, the organisation has refused to talk with Unite in order to listen and respond to our legitimate concerns.
“Our members are not willing to accept these changes being imposed upon them and are fully prepared to take on this heartless employer.”
Some of those it works with include people with mental health difficulties, learning disabilities, frail older people and people with dementia.
It is a recipient of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2016, the highest award available to voluntary organisations, recognising its outstanding contribution to the local community.
Its mission is to promote social inclusion, equality and social justice by supporting individuals to say what they want, to secure their rights and to represent their interests when they are unable to do so themselves.
In 2018, the organisation marked its 20th year of service with a civic reception at the city chambers.
It was set up with funding from Dundee City Council and NHS Tayside.
A spokesperson for DIAS said: “We are disappointed to read that Unite have not presented this consultation process accurately.
“We have provided opportunities to engage with our team to discuss this and are pleased that more than half of our staff understand the reason behind this consultation and have agreed to the change.
“The remaining staff were invited to a further consultation meeting on Wednesday evening but declined.”
