Care workers in Renfrewshire are set to launch an overtime ban starting next week.

Home care staff will work to rule - meaning they do no more than the minimum required by the rules of their contract or job - ahead of planned walkouts next month.

Employees are accusing bosses of underpaying them for years.

The industrial action is set to start on Monday, March 25.

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We previously reported that workers intend to stage a walkout on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 9 and 10.

GMB Scotland said the work to rule will affect the tasks undertaken by care workers including their ability to prompt service users to take medicine or administer it.

The carers voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action after warning a long-awaited council review of their pay grade reportedly failed to properly recognise how their job has changed to involve many more duties and responsibilities.

It was the first review of carers for 16 years with an offer of 67 pence more an hour put on the table.

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However, frontline staff claim they are providing more personal care and supporting more people with complex needs than ever before.

Kirsten Muat, GMB organiser, said the local authority has failed to properly recognise the value and responsibilities of home care workers, move them to the correct pay grade or offer to compensate them for years of underpayment.

She said: “Carers shouldn’t have to take industrial action to get paid fairly for the work to do but Renfrewshire Council have left them no choice.

“Carers have been clear with the council throughout this needlessly protracted process that industrial action was inevitable unless they were properly graded and fairly paid.

“Unfortunately, the council has failed to take the opportunity to treat these vital workers fairly and avert this industrial action.

“These staff members are the foundation of care in our communities offering life-changing support for some of the most vulnerable people in Renfrewshire, many with complex medical and emotional needs.

“These workers must be given the pay their role and responsibilities deserve.”

A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council said: "We are aware of the proposed action and continue to engage with the trade unions in respect of this dispute."