TWO foster carers are to take a council to a tribunal to demand full employee rights.
Lawyers argue Christine and James Johnstone should get minimum wage, holiday pay and sick pay for their role with Glasgow City Council.
The couple claims to have had wages deducted unlawfully after not having a child placed in their care for one year.
Though foster carers are required to sign an agreement with local authorities, this is not considered a contract of employment.
The Johnstones claim to have been victims of whistleblowing and the issue of their employment status is raised as part of the wider case, which is expected to go before a panel this summer.
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which hopes to secure a victory and press Westminster to address terms and conditions for foster carers across the UK, is backing the couple.
IWGB general secretary Jason Moyer-Lee said: “Unpleasantly, the courts in England and Wales have failed to deal with this issue appropriately, but in Scotland the issue of foster-care worker employment status is yet to be determined and determining it is precisely what we intend to do with this case.”
Glasgow City Council refused to comment on the specific case but said: “Issues raised by foster carers are always taken seriously.”
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