BASW Cymru/SWU Trade Union Statement

Robin Moulster, BASW Cymru Country Manager, said “I have recently heard some very concerning and worrying information that affects BASW members who are also members of SWU.

“Firstly, particular trade unions are attempting to ‘pinch’ members from BASW/SWU, saying the Social Workers Union cannot properly represent them. This is totally untrue – and I have written a very strongly worded email to this particular trade union. We believe that all social workers ought to belong to BASW as the professional association for social workers across the UK. We would also encourage members to ‘opt into’ SWU as well.

“However, members have a choice of whether they ‘opt into’ SWU, remain with/join a different trade union or choose not to belong to any trade union.

“We will robustly challenge any ‘pinching’ of members from BASW/SWU or from any other trade union. There are approximately 6,300 social workers on Part 1 of the Register held by the Care Council for Wales. It is commonly thought that above 50% of social workers do not belong to any trade union – so there are plenty of social workers who need trade union and professional support, who currently don’t have any.

“Secondly, employers (particularly some local authorities) have refused to recognise the status of SWU as certified trade union. I have written to the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) requesting that they address this issue with local authorities in Wales. I have provided the following legal guidance, which all members need to be aware of:

  • Section 10, of the Employment Relations Act 1999
    allows a certified union official to accompany workers to meetings with their employers where this may result in a disciplinary sanction being issued.

“The right to accompany workers is an established right in legislation and is covered both in the ACAS Code of Practice on time off for trade union duties and in the ACAS code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures, and discipline and grievance at work, the ACAS guide. The right to allow accompaniment is a duty applying to all employers and not just where the union is recognised.”