UNISON members who provide mental health support for vulnerable people in Bradford have voted to go on strike next week over what they say are unfair imposed changes to their working hours.

The action, set to take place from 12pm to 2pm next Wednesday, will involve 39 members of staff transferred from Bradford Council to a company called Creative Support.

The union states that "wholesale changes" to shift patterns will damage the service and force staff to quit.

They claim that the proposals could see staff being called in to work at any time between 8am and 10pm, seven days a week, causing members with elderly or disabled relatives to leave because they cannot juggle their caring responsibilities at home with the new shifts.

UNISON regional officer Gary Cleaver said: "Creative Support managers have failed to consult with their own staff on these changes. There has been no consideration given to people’s individual circumstances and responsibilities. We are deeply concerned that this will have a damaging effect on the people who rely on the service because people will simply not be able to fit in with the new shift patterns.

"It has already led to resignations of experienced and dedicated staff who have been with the service more than 20 years. It is a tragedy for the service users. These staff are more like family to the people they care for and they will be a huge loss to the community."

"The vote to take strike action was unanimous, even though it is a last resort for members."

A spokesman for Creative Support said the company was "greatly disappointed" that UNISON members had voted to strike.

He said: "Gary Cleaver attended a meeting on September 20 involving ACAS and Creative Support. As a result of our on-going negotiations, joint terms had been negotiated and proposed, which UNISON felt they could support and would put forward to their members.

"There is a need to provide a flexible and responsive service to all vulnerable adults in-line with the requirements under the terms of our contract with Bradford Council. We have been through a comprehensive set of meetings with individual employees to take into account individual carers' responsibilities wherever possible.

"As a responsible employer we have always tried to take into account employees circumstances."

UNISON plans to hold a rally in the Council Chamber at Bradford City Hall, with protest demonstrations also set to take place at Hilltop Cottages in Bradford and Oakvale House in Keighley.

Bradford Council said it did not wish to comment on the matter.