Banners and flags have once again appeared outside the entrance to West Dunbartonshire Council's headquarters amid a dispute over carer's rotas.
Members of the GMB Union have gathered at the Church Street offices 40 minutes prior to a full council meeting to protest the ongoing redesign of the workers schedules.
The dispute has been ongoing for several months with the union arguing aspects of the redesign were not agreed to, whereas the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) say they were in consultation throughout this process.
The crowd held banners and signs with their slogan "seven minutes is not time to care - it's a crisis".
A police presences was spotted at the scene of the protest however it has not been confirmed if they were there for this demonstration.
West Dunbartonshire HSCP dispute the claim that carers are required to "wash, dress, feed and medicate" clients within a seven minute time period.
They have labelled the accusations by the GMB as "misleading and inaccurate."
We have previously reported how a full council meeting was acquisitioned by a West Dunbartonshire Community Party councillor and a group of SNP councillors urging change to the current redesign of caring.
The elected members say they have been contacted by many carers who say changes to shift patterns have caused issues for staff and clients.
At the meeting, it was agreed the council would urge the West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to rethink the redesign.
However, it was confirmed to the Clydebank Post just days after the meeting that the redesign would go ahead as planned despite backlash.
Carers have continued to voice concern over the plans and are now expected to form the rally outside the Church Street offices this week.
A poster for the event says: "In seven minutes, carers cannot be expected to wash, dress, feed, medicate, comfort and somehow still care.
"Vulnerable service users aren't tasks - stop the timer."
This demonstration forms the second protest at this location, after GMB held another at the special full council meeting in February.
The HSCP say they are committed to supporting a safe and sustainable service and understand that there is a period of change ongoing throughout the changes.
A West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership spokesperson said: "Claims around the timings of care visits are inaccurate and misleading. The duration of visits is based on service user needs and these are reviewed regularly to ensure ongoing suitability.
"We are making efforts to continue open engagement with the workforce and Trade Union representatives to ensure the redesign delivers a safe, sustainable service for those who receive care, while providing clarity and stability for our workforce."
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