BASW launches the “Social Workers Union”…

2nd September 2011

The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) has formally launched an arms-length trade union.

At an annual general meeting in May, BASW members voted in favour of setting up the “Social Workers Union” (SWU).  BASW has over 14,000 members, who will be able to opt-in to membership of the union at no extra cost.  However, they will not be prevented from joining or continuing to be members of other trade unions.

The move has so far received a mixed response.  Roger Kline, Social Care spokesperson for Aspect, supported BASW’s move, saying ”Social workers need a trade union that is close to and understands their specific profession and is not dominated by other interests.”

However, Brian Strutton, national secretary of GMB, said “social workers who want a trade union are best served by the established unions who have negotiating rights, namely GMB, Unite and Unison.”

This factor has not been overlooked by the Social Workers Union, which is currently pressing all UK local authorities for negotiation rights.

An issue which could further complicate the situation is the social work college debate.  BASW had previously clashed with the College of Social Work over plans for a single, unified college, but eventually the two bodies signed a memorandum of understanding, detailing their plans to merge by 2012.  However, the College has already committed to working in partnership with Unison.

This arrangement, under which Unison would provide employee representation to College members and the College would provide professional advice services to social workers who are Unison members, raises questions about the role the SWU will be able to play.