Zarah ChoudharyOver 700 workers at Aberdeen City Council are being balloted on strike action over alleged ‘fire and re-hire’ proposals, according to Unite.
The council has tabled a proposal to impose a cut of two hours in the working week to 35-hours.
The proposal, if enacted, could potentially cut workers’ wages by up to 104 hours per year, impacting over 3,000 workers in one of Scotland’s largest councils.
Unite said that widespread industrial action would lead to a significant reduction in provision for some of the city’s most vital services.
The ballot opens today and closes on 14th April.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Aberdeen council’s incendiary fire and rehire plans are disgraceful and must immediately be taken off the table.
“It is a callous attempt to demolish pay and conditions for some of the lowest paid workers in Aberdeen.
“Unite will resist this with every single tool at our disposal including extensive industrial action if necessary.”
Vic Fraser, industrial officer at Unite, said: “The fire and rehire plans by Aberdeen council need to be ditched or strike action will lead to services grinding to a halt.
“If that happens, the blame will lie exclusively with councillors and council officials. The use of fire and rehire breaches the fair work principles.
“The Scottish Government must intervene and clearly tell Aberdeen council to withdraw the proposal or face sanctions.
“The failure by Government ministers to act, so far, is evidence that they are simply trying to ignore this issue.
“Unite will do everything politically, industrially, and legally possible to make sure our members are not ignored, and we will hold this rogue employer to account.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said: “Constructive discussions are continuing with Trade Unions, through ongoing formal consultation meetings, where our desired outcome is to reach agreement.
“Dismissal and re-engagement has not been suggested by the Council during any consultation, engagement or discussions that have been taking place.
“Whilst it is one possible lawful route to implementing a contractual change, the Council would not consider dismissal and re-engagement without having exhausted all possible other routes.
“The goal is to reach an agreement through this consultation process with employees and trade unions, whose feedback has already improved and amended the original proposal.”
