Glasgow City Council has agreed to pause its plans to dismiss and rehire 23,000 staff following discussions with unions and the Scottish Government. The local authority announced the move on Friday evening, saying an understanding had been reached after talks.
On Thursday, the council said negotiations to resolve a long-running equal pay dispute with the Unite, GMB and Unison unions had broken down. It had planned to dismiss all non-teaching staff and rehire them under new contracts from January 1 in order to end the current pay arrangements.
Pause agreed after talks with Scottish Government
Workforce convener Councillor Allan Casey said: “I’m pleased that we’ve reached a position following a meeting with the Scottish Government and the three unions where a pause has been agreed, allowing the Acas package to be put back on the table and creating the space for further intensive negotiations with the joint trade unions.”
“Our goal remains clear: to secure collective agreement on a new pay and grading scheme that is free from discrimination and can be put to the workforce in a ballot.”
“Both I and the wider council leadership remain fully committed to working with trade unions and staff to deliver a fairer and more sustainable pay structure for the future.”
Unions welcome lifting of fire and rehire threat
A STUC spokesperson, on behalf of unions Unite, Unison and GMB, said: “We are pleased at the lifting of the threat of fire and rehire and that meaningful negotiations will take place next week.”
“We also welcome the Scottish Government’s clear statement that the practice of fire and rehire does not align with the principles and expected practice of fair work.”
Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth added: “I am pleased that Glasgow City Council has agreed to pause the process of dismissing staff so that all partners can get back around the table for intensive negotiations to focus on bringing a resolution to this dispute.”
“Given the significance of this situation and the impact on staff, I wanted to bring all parties together to make clear that I expect negotiations between the council and unions to continue so that a collective agreement can be reached and bring an end to discriminatory pay practices.”
“My expectation is that all parties act in line with the principles of fair work and continue to exhaust all avenues for collective agreement.”
“The Scottish Government opposes the inappropriate use of fire and rehire and our position is that such a practice does not align with the principles and expected practice of fair work.”
