More than 500 union members at Scotland’s largest social care charity are being balloted for strike action after rejecting a “miserly” pay offer.

A three-week postal ballot was opened on 24 February for Unison union members at Enable Scotland concerning a wage dispute dating back to 2023.

A previous industrial action ballot was suspended in October when the charity put forward an offer of a 10p increase to the minimum adult social care hourly rate of £10.90 for 2023/24, and a 20p rise to the £12 hourly rate for 2024/25.

But Enable staff “overwhelmingly” rejected the proposal in a recent consultation, with 74 per cent voting against it, and the charity has since indicated it intends to impose the offer, Unison said.

The charity has about 2,500 employees and Unison represents more than 500 of them.

Thomas Baylis, Unison steward at Enable Scotland, said: “Staff are tired of accepting far less than they deserve for providing essential services. This miserly offer is nowhere near enough.

“The NHS relies on care services that are persistently underfunded, and only manages to operate by paying workers below the fair value of their skills, experience and responsibilities.”

Baylis said such poor rates lead to high staff turnover rates and low morale.

“Employees, and the people who rely on their care, deserve far better,” he said.

“The Scottish government cannot balance its budget on the backs of essential workers.

“It's vital everyone makes clear to Enable Scotland that they deserve a decent pay rise."

An Enable spokesperson said: “Enable is disappointed by the decision to ballot for industrial action. 

“Significantly enhanced pay beyond the Real Living Wage is entirely dependent on external funding. 

“Enable has worked with Unison to advance fair work across the social care sector for a number of years, and we would welcome a national pay settlement for the charity sector social care workforce which is on a par with pay deals for care workers in the public sector.”