Scottish legal aid solicitors could strike over rota changes
Union GMB says this change puts its members under unprecedented pressure and risks the rights of people who have been arrested.
The Legal Aid Board currently runs a 24-hour hotline to offer advice to those who have been taken into custody and source legal representation.
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It was previously run by two solicitors at a time, responding to calls from officers requesting lawyers for suspects being held at police stations.
They would then contact private law firms or, if one cannot be found, travel to represent the arrestee themselves.
With only one person now staffing the line, it's feared the ability to respond to calls and offer representation will be hampered.
John McCartney, GMB Scotland organiser for the board, said: 'Our members are qualified solicitors working around the clock to ensure anyone arrested gets the legal representation they are entitled to.
'Their work is an essential protection for the legal rights of every Scot and the foundation of our criminal justice system.
'Their work is stressful, challenging and underpins our justice system.
"It is unreasonable to expect a single solicitor to sustain national coverage over a 12-hour shift.
"These are dangerous changes introduced for no good reason and must be reviewed then reversed.
"There is no operational justification for these changes and there is no evidence of cost savings.
'Managers took this decision despite concerns and imposed it with no consideration of the impact it will have on staff and, more widely, fair access to justice in Scotland's legal system.
'The clear determination of staff to reverse this decision is no surprise and demands urgent action.'
A spokesperson for the Scottish Legal Aid Board said: 'We have not been formally notified by the GMB Union that they intend to ballot their members employed on the Solicitor Contact Line in relation to potential strike action.
'We will be contacting the GMB officials to seek clarification.'
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