Glasgow City Council has confirmed that the pause in issuing fire-and-rehire letters to staff has ended after negotiations with the Unison union broke down.
The council announced plans last week to dismiss 23,000 non-teaching employees and rehire them on new contracts, following a breakdown in talks over a long-running equal pay dispute.
The plan was temporarily halted on Friday after intervention from Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth.
Talks collapse over ballot refusal
In the early hours of Thursday, Glasgow City Council stated that Unison is refusing to put the latest offer to its members in a ballot, leading to the collapse of talks.
As a result, the pause on issuing letters to Unison members has now ended. However, the council is continuing to work with the Unite and GMB unions to ensure their members are not dismissed and reengaged.
Council leader responds
Council leader Ricky Bell expressed disappointment, saying: "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."
Bell noted that the improvements since August represent "a package well over a hundred million in extra pay for our staff." He added that the council listened carefully and went "the extra mile" to address concerns, but some remaining demands were "simply unworkable," particularly proposals for additional allowances that could have had a detrimental impact on some employees.
Bell confirmed that detailed discussions with Unite and GMB will begin from Thursday morning to finalise arrangements, and support will continue for staff directly affected by the decision.
Unison has been approached for comment.
