Mid Gavin Nursery in Howwood, Renfrewshire, was acquired by SomersetNurseries, a small Glasgow-based chain, in March.
Since the takeover, around 75 per cent of the nursery's workforce havejoined GMB, but the nursery's management has so far refused to recognisetheir membership for collective bargaining.
Staff have taken individual grievances to the union, which includechanges to their pay dates which they claim resulted in bank charges forsome nursery workers, changes to their holiday entitlement overChristmas, and the over-taxing of some staff.
The GMB has met with the management over individual contract-relatedgrievances, but has not been able to progress recognition of the unionfor the purpose of negotiating wages and terms and conditions ofemployment.
GMB has now taken the matter to independent negotiator ACAS, which ismeeting with the nursery on 20 July.
Dominic Allen, GMB Scotland's organising officer, said, 'GMB hasrequested the involvement of ACAS to assist the process of unionrecognition at Mid Gavin nursery. The union is confident that themediation will facilitate a swift resolution.'
Meanwhile, the Care Commission is also investigating the nursery overcomplaints by the local council about the safety of children playing inthe nursery's car park, after horses from neighbouring stables jumpedthe fence.
No children were in the car park at the time but one nursery worker, whodid not wished to be named, said that previously children had not beenable to play in the car park.
A Care Commission spokesperson said, 'We can confirm we have received acomplaint about the nursery, but as investigations are still continuingit would be inappropriate to comment further.'