More than nine in ten Unison Scotland members working at care charity Enable Scotland have voted to strike in their dispute with management over pay.

This is the first time in a decade that charity sector social care workers have voted to strike, says the union.

The action has been taken amid Scottish government cuts to care work that has “deepened the crisis in the care sector”, said Unison steward and care workers Kim O’Donnell.

In a ballot, which closed this week, 93% of Unison members at the charity voted to back industrial action.

“Care workers, who look after some of the most vulnerable people in society, are struggling to make ends meet because they’re not paid enough to live on,” said Unison Scotland area organiser Wendy Hudson.

“Five years on from the first Covid lockdown, the care workforce shouldn’t be left with no option other than to strike for a fair wage. More value must be placed on the work care staff do.’

She added: “Enable Scotland is one of the better employers in the care sector. But without proper funding from the Scottish government, care workers will continue to be let down. Ministers must fund charitable care properly and act to resolve this issue.”

Enable Scotland has been contacted for comment.

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