Council workers vote on strikes to halt 'fire and rehire' in Aberdeen

Workers at one of Scotland’s biggest councils will vote on industrial action to halt the threat of “fire and rehire.”

GMB Scotland gave Aberdeen City Council notice of a ballot on industrial action on Monday over the threat to impose changes to staff contracts without agreement.

Workers have branded the proposals to impose a pay freeze after cutting the working week from 37 to 35 hours “a shambolic mess” that will hit the wages of frontline workers and risk crucial services.

The vote comes after GMB, one of the biggest unions in the public sector, polled members at the council when 93% opposed the plans and 89% backed strikes to halt them.

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser in public services, said the tactic bullied workers into accepting poorer conditions and was only used by the worst employers in the private sector.

He said: “It beggars belief that councils, or any public sector organisation, would think this is an acceptable way to treat staff.

“Councils should be looking to the best employers for inspiration not the worst and most unscrupulous.”

Threatening to impose new contracts on workers will be outlawed in forthcoming legislation at Westminster and already breaches Fair Work First guidelines introduced by Holyrood intended to ensure councils are good employers.

A three-week ballot on industrial action at the Aberdeen council will open on Monday when GMB members in non-education roles, but including janitors and early years staff, will be asked to vote.

Sean Robertson, GMB Scotland organiser in the council, said: “The survey of our members revealed overwhelming opposition to these measures and dismay at the threat to drive them through.

“Councillors already know this, know the strength of opposition and concern among staff and know the threat of ‘fire and rehire’ is beyond the pale.

“Too many are allowing this council to bully and threaten workers in a way they would deplore if it was being done by a company in the private sector.”

The GMB survey of members revealed many are worried about the financial impact of a pay freeze and fearful that a shorter working week will mean managers putting them under more pressure.

Unions told the Scottish Labour party conference last month that no local authority should try to impose new contracts on staff and change terms and conditions without agreement.

ENDS