Equal pay negotiations between Glasgow City Council and its Joint Trade Unions have broken down, with the council confirming it will now dismiss all non-teaching staff and issue new contracts next year, in order to lawfully end its current pay and grading structure.
The council said it had tabled an offer including extra funding for back pay and pay protection extended from six to 12 months, which would have taken dismissals off the table.
GMB and Unite agreed to ballot members on the offer, but UNISON withdrew its support on 23 September.
Director of Communications and Corporate Governance Colin Edgar said the council had ‘gone as far as it can,’ noting pay would rise or stay the same for 90% of staff, and said dismissal notices would be withdrawn if unions reach a collective agreement on the enhanced terms.
‘It beggars belief that they would betray their own members in this way,’ he added.
UNISON Scotland regional organiser Mandy McDowall accused the council of trying to ‘bully’ staff with ‘arbitrary deadlines,’ warning it risked becoming a ‘pariah employer.’ She said UNISON would ballot members ‘once discussions have concluded.’
