Brighton and Hove City Council and Unison have negotiated a resolution to a long-running dispute regarding pay for social workers in the council’s Adult Social Care services.
Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said that she was delighted that the council and trade union had reached an agreement.
She said: “Social workers provide a crucial service, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in Brighton & Hove.
“We’re determined to continue investing in our workforce and supporting our staff’s professional development, so they can provide the care our residents need.”
Nearly 100 staff in Health & Adult Social Care went on strike for 3 days in November and December 2023 (Image: James Pike Photography) READ MORE: Thousands of pupils across Sussex eligible for free school meals starting next year
In 2022, Unison submitted a request for the standard market payment to apply to social workers in the council’s adult social care services, similar to the rate paid to social workers in children’s services.
The council has said that the request was considered at length by its compensation panel, but was not agreed because it did not fulfil the criteria, which is made in exceptional circumstances for roles that are hard to fill.
In response to the panel’s decision, Unison balloted their members for industrial action, and nearly 100 staff in health and adult social care went on strike for 3 days in November and December 2023.
At the time a spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove Unison said: “We are proud of the more than 100 adult social worker members today [November 7,2023] as they took their first historic strike action on fair pay.
“Dozens were at the picket this morning and the support from the public who stopped to talk to us was clear. They deserve parity of pay with their social work friends and colleagues in families, children and learning, and the residents of the city deserve services that are fit for purpose and well resourced.”
Following the strike, an alternative proposal was presented by council management in February 2024 outlining a “career-grade structure” aimed at benefitting social workers at all levels in adult social care and from which, the council said that 85 per cent of staff would benefit.
Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said that she was delighted that the council and trade union have reached an agreement (Image: The Argus)
The council stated that the proposal acknowledged the importance of investing in ongoing professional development for social workers at all levels and supporting career progression to higher grades.
Unison agreed to temporarily suspend further strike action pending negotiations on the management proposal.
From March 2024 to March 2025, the council and Unison worked closely to negotiate a resolution to the industrial action based on the proposal made in February 2024.
A Unison ballot in April 2025 voted in favour of the proposals and ended the industrial action.
A spokeswoman for Unison Brighton and Hove said: “Our branch is proud to have worked so effectively with our stewards and members as well as the city council to get this result, one that we have been told by national UNISON is possibly the best outcome to a social worker dispute in the country.
“This outcome to our dispute will improve the pay and progression of dozens of social workers in the city but as with all negotiations there were compromises and we will continue to work with and support all our social worker members to address any concerns or issues going forward.
“Our adult social workers provide an essential service in increasingly challenging circumstances supporting some of our city’s most vulnerable people.
“Hopefully the increase in pay for most and the clear pathways to professional progression will help them navigate this challenging environment and feel more valued”.
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