A two-day strike by care workers has been launched at three Glasgow care homes in a dispute over pay and conditions.

The action by GMB Scotland members is taking place at Cardonald, Ballieston and Stobhill Care Homes which were previously run by the Four Seasons group before being taken over by Silverline and are now administered by Minster Care Group.

The union accuse management of a series of assaults on pay and conditions, including withdrawing a previous pay offer and reducing overtime rates.

Kirsty Nimmo, GMB Scotland organiser, said: “Staff at these homes do not want to be standing outside fighting to protect their pay and conditions.

“They want to be inside caring for the residents like they do every day of their working lives but the actions of the homes’ owners have forced them into this unprecedented industrial action.

“We tried to resolve this dispute again and again but the company has never been serious about engaging with their staff and clearly had no intention of making a serious offer to avert this strike.

“Our hearts are with the residents and their families but our members must also think about their own families.

“All they are asking for is fairness. All they want is to be treated with decency and respect.”

A spokesperson for Silverline said: “The welfare of residents is paramount and contingency measures are in place to ensure the continuation of quality care at each of the homes during the strike action.  

“The previous management team attempted, without success, to engage with the GMB to agree matters in relation to staff wages prior to our involvement, including the proposal to alter overtime pay arrangements.  

“We met the GMB at the offices of ACAS in July and explained that, while we wanted all care teams to be paid more, the trading situation of the homes means this is impossible and the alternative is that the company goes into insolvency.  

“Our proposal for wage rates (which has been implemented) increased the lowest rate for care staff above both the rates required by the National Care Home Contract and also the National Living Wage, plus an improved overtime offering. There is no contractual obligation for staff to work overtime, or to be paid overtime at enhanced rates.  

“GMB representatives at the meeting failed to respect or accept our explanations of the financial situation and merely repeated demands for a minimum rate of £15 per hour, way in excess of the National Contract requirements. We therefore parted having not reached agreement.”

First Minister’s Humza Yousaf has called for talks between the two sides and written a letter to the homes’ management.

Silverline said: “We have noted the First Minister’s comments in his press statement and look forward to receiving his letter, as well any assistance he can offer. The pay rates we have implemented are directly linked to what operators receive in fee rates set out in the National Care Home Contract.

“If it is no longer deemed appropriate then the First Minister and his colleagues at the Scottish government have the power to increase fees to operators and this will enable staff to be paid more.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “All those working in the social care sector provide an invaluable role in society and we are grateful for their contribution. The strike action in not in anyone’s interest and we would encourage both sides to talk to each other.”