Talks between Glasgow council and union 'break down again' over fire and rehire plans

Glasgow City Council says talks with trade union UNISON have “broken down again” after plans to fire and rehire thousands of staff were put on hold.

It comes from the local authority’s plans to implement a new pay and grading system after the previous one was found to discriminate mostly against female workers.

The proposals meant pay for most staff would stay the same or rise. However, around 11% would see their wages cut, with some by more than £10,000.

Glasgow City Council announced a pause to the plan, which would have affected 23,000 staff, on Friday, following substantial backlash and a request from deputy first minister Jenny Gilruth.

On Thursday, the city council said it was able to secure funding for an additional year of pay protection, but claimed that Unison is refusing to put the offer to its members in a ballot.

UNISON previously said it welcomed the money identified during previous negotiations, but further movement is necessary for a settlement capable of delivering equal pay without leaving other workers facing substantial income losses.

The council said that, as a result, the pause in issuing letters to Unison members has now ended, although it is working with the Unite and GMB unions to ensure that their members are not dismissed and are reengaged.

Glasgow City Council Leader Councillor Ricky Bell said: “I’m deeply disappointed that, despite the Council putting a further year of pay protection on the table, UNISON has once again chosen not to put this offer to its members. Taken together with the improvements made since August, this represents a package well over a hundred million in extra pay for our staff.

“We listened carefully throughout these negotiations and went the extra mile to address concerns and improve the offer. However, some of the remaining demands were simply unworkable. In particular, proposals for additional allowances would in fact have had a detrimental impact on some employees.

“We had paused the issue of letters to our staff to allow space for further discussion. Although UNISON’s actions bring that pause to an end, we are working with UNITE and GMB to ensure that their members are not dismissed and reengaged. We will have detailed discussions with these unions from Thursday morning to finalise these details.

“I am disappointed that UNISON members have been denied the opportunity to have their say on a deal which would have delivered significant improvements for many employees, additional protections for those facing detriment, and a clear route to finally ending pay discrimination in Glasgow.

“This is an understandably difficult and uncertain time for staff, and support will continue to be available through the Council for those directly affected by this decision.”

Fire and rehire will be made illegal as of January as a result of employment law changes brought in by the UK Government.

UNISON has been contacted for comment.