School closure risk as union ballots staff in six council areas

Schools in six council areas in Scotland are at risk of closure as a union ballots for strike action over changing conditions.

The GMB union opened the vote to members who work in cleaning and janitorial jobs in East Lothian, Falkirk, Fife, Inverclyde, Moray and Stirling on Monday.

Union organiser John McCartney said multinational firm OCS, which holds contracts to provide services in the six areas, has attempted to “steamroller” changes into place without consulting staff, which he claimed goes against Scottish Government employment rules.

Among the changes is a move from fixed salaries to hourly pay and mandatory clocking in.

Mr McCartney said: “We are disappointed OCS has chosen to attempt to force these changes into place when there are clear and established channels for worker consultation through their union representatives.

“Instead of opening those channels, managers have ignored long-standing union recognition agreements in an attempt to steamroll these changes into place without consultation.

“That is in direct breach of the Scottish Government’s fair work first guidelines for public sector contractors. It is unacceptable and will not stand.”

He urged OCS to come to the table and discuss the changes.

“Attempting to impose such change unilaterally has caused a great deal of anger and frustration among workers, and that is likely to be reflected in our consultative ballot on industrial action,” he said.

“We would urge the company to pause these plans, re-engage with our union and find a fair way forward.”

The Scottish Government and OCS have been contacted for comment.