GMB Scotland warns scathing inspection report must trigger urgent action
West Dunbartonshire Council home carers protesting outside the council headquarters in Church Street, Dumbarton.
14 August 2026
by Bill Heaney and Jim Wilson
A scathing inspection report exposes the damage done to West Dunbartonshire home care by a controversial restructuring, according to unions.
GMB Scotland claimed the Care Inspectorate branding the service “weak” in all key areas is a direct consequence of an incompetent and ill-considered redesign of rotas driven through by management unwilling to listen to workers.
AnnMarie Carrigan, organiser in West Dunbartonshire Council, said: “This was a surprise inspection, but it is no absolute surprise that inspectors found a damaged and demoralised service that has been redesigned into the ground.
“The refusal of management to listen to the concerns of their dedicated staff before forcing through these changes has dismayed our members and failed the people they care for.
“This inspectors’ report and the management decisions that have led to it should be ringing alarm bells for every elected politician representing the communities of West Dunbartonshire.
“It is beyond time for the senior leadership of West Dunbartonshire Council to start listening more to our members and less to their managers.”
The union said many of the failures in the service found by inspectors can be directly linked to the changes in shift patterns forced through by management despite many staff warning the new rotas were unworkable.
Months of talks have failed to ease the concerns of staff and GMB members have overwhelmingly backed industrial action in a consultative ballot.
The union said 73 per cent of the care workers voted in the ballot with 92 per cent backing industrial action up to and including strikes.
Ms Carrigan said: “Our members have been dismayed and demoralised by the repeated refusal to address their concerns effectively.
“They have given managers every possible chance to ease the damage done by these rota changes, to them and the people they care for, but have been pushed to the brink of industrial action.
“It is beyond time for action to protect this crucial service built on the skill, commitment and experience of our members.”
West Dunbartonshire Council refused to comment.