Council workers who provide day services for adults with disabilities across The Wirral are escalating strike action over pay.
More than 100 employees at Wirral Evolutions Day Services walked out from 26 to 28 November in the latest stage of their long-running dispute about wage rates.
UNISON says management must commit to talks to settle the dispute or the workers will be back on the picket lines for a further three days in December.
Staff provide vital support and care for people with physical and learning disabilities around the community.
The union says managers, team leaders, service co-ordinators and support workers have all been given additional responsibilities without any extra pay. Their roles should be regraded to reflect the value of the work they do. Concerns were first raised about pay grades two years ago.
Workers first walked out for four days in October, and the employer was warned more strikes would follow. That action resulted in the complete closure of all eight of the service’s sites.
UNISON has also expressed concern about council proposals to close or privatise day services.
UNISON Wirral branch officer Helen Kane said: “These workers are being exploited. They’re doing far more than they’re being paid to do.
“Staff care deeply about the people they support but the council isn’t listening to their concerns.
“No one takes the decision to go on strike lightly, but the staff feel forced to do so. They must be paid a fair salary, which is long overdue.
“Threatening to close services is no way to deal with legitimate demands over pay from dedicated staff.”