College of Social Work postpones launch due to TUC’s national day of action…
25th November 2011
The College of Social Work have chosen to delay their launch event for stakeholders because of the TUC’s national public sector strike over pensions. The event was planned for November 29th, with the strike due to take place on November 30th.
Although the clash with the strikes has been given as the official reason for the delay, it has also been suggested by an article in The Guardian, that the decision could be related to the latest developments in the College’s dispute with BASW (the British Assocataion of Social Workers). The very public dispute has taken another twist recently, with BASW calling into question the College’s arrangement with the trade union Unison.
In early November, there was an education select committee meeting, where MPs questioned the arrangement with Unison, and whether the College would be independent. Under the proposed deal, College members would automatically become members of Unison unless they chose to opt out. Graham Stuart, the Tory chair of the committee, wrote to the the health and education secretaries to share his concerns.
BASW have given formal notice that they are seeking a judicial review of the situation. Their Chief Executive, Hilton Dawson was quoted as saying BASW were “quite prepared to push the case along as far as we can”. Despite these developments, the College is still planning to open on January 4th 2012.
