Glasgow city council has reached a pay deal with Unison, averting one of the UK’s largest fire-and-rehire exercises. The agreement, announced on Monday, protects the pay of 11% of staff for three years and prevents the dismissal and rehiring of 23,000 non-teaching employees on less favourable terms.
Background of the Dispute
Talks between the council and unions GMB, Unite, and Unison initially broke down when Unison refused to ballot its members on a new pay and grading system designed to resolve historical equal pay issues. The council then contacted all 23,000 non-teaching staff, warning them of potential dismissal and re-engagement. This move sparked significant backlash from opposition parties, unions, and employees.
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Key Terms of the Agreement
The new deal, reached with Unison, includes several critical concessions:
- Pay protection for three years for the 11% of staff who would have faced wage cuts under the original proposal.
- Continued negotiations on the equality impacts of the new pay structure.
- Unison will ballot its members on the revised offer this month.
Ricky Bell, leader of Glasgow city council, said he was “delighted that we have been able to reach agreement with Unison” and “remove the unpalatable prospect of fire-and-rehire.” He added, “This is a strong and fair deal.”
Union Responses and Next Steps
Unison acknowledged that many issues remain unresolved but agreed to put the offer to its members. GMB and Unite have already agreed to take the deal to their members. The council has committed to further discussions on the equality impacts of the new pay structure.
Impact on Workers and the Council
The agreement prevents immediate wage cuts and job insecurity for thousands of workers. It also avoids a costly and reputation-damaging fire-and-rehire process, which has been widely criticized across the UK. The council can now focus on implementing the new pay and grading system fairly.
Comparison of Original vs. Revised Offer
| Aspect | Original Offer | Revised Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Pay for 11% of staff | Wage cuts | Protected for 3 years |
| Ballot by Unison | Refused | Agreed for this month |
| Fire-and-rehire | Imminent | Averted |
| Equality impact talks | Not addressed | Ongoing |
FAQ
What was the fire-and-rehire plan?
The plan involved dismissing 23,000 non-teaching staff and rehiring them on new contracts, many with less favourable terms, to implement a new pay and grading system.
Which unions are involved?
Unison, GMB, and Unite are the unions representing the workers. GMB and Unite had already agreed to the deal, while Unison initially refused to ballot its members.
What does the deal mean for workers?
The deal protects the pay of 11% of staff for three years and averts fire-and-rehire. Unison will ballot its members on the revised offer this month.
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