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Council considering sacking their 7,000 work force
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by mudricky | March 2, 2009 at 03:36 pm
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A Scottish council who, over the years have had more strikes in recent years than most over pay and working conditions is considering sacking all their staff.
Renfrewshire Council, who borders with Glasgow has said if a 90-day consultation period with unions break down they may not have any other choice but to release all their 7,000 staff members and re-hire them with new contracts.
The only workers who are safe would be chief council officers and managers, teaching staff and craft workers.
A Renfrewshire council spokesperson said: “We believe the proposals strike a balance by promoting a modern, flexible approach delivering services to suit our customers at the times they want and at the times they need them.
“They also provide greater opportunities for flexible working which can improve both the delivery and availability of our services.
“Overall, our main aims are to improve services and the terms and conditions for our staff.
“We very much hope the unions and our employees will back these proposals. It’s certainly our intention to reach a negotiated agreement.
“But because of the need to keep modernising and improving our services, we do need to retain all options for implementing change.”
All the councillors who sit on Renfrewshire Council would have to agree to this.
THOUSANDS of council staff are facing the sack if controversial plans being considered by the local authority get the go-ahead.
All employees apart from chief officers, teaching staff and craft workers would be affected by the move.
Around 7,000 individuals could be fired if negotiations with the trade unions over terms and conditions break down.
They would lose their jobs and then be re-hired under new terms and conditions laid down by the council.
Bosses at Renfrewshire Council have been in discussion with unions since June last year and are now due to enter a 90-day consultation period with them.
If, at the end of that time no deal has been reached all staff will be sacked.
Councillors will consider the move at a special meeting later today.
Council bosses have stressed the move would be a last resort and would have to be approved by councillors.
A similar option to fire then re-hire was available but not used during the negotiations in 2006 on a council-wide pay and grading agreement.
That was agreed through negotiation and approved by a ballot of trade union members.
Mark Ferguson, secretary of the Renfrewshire Council branch of Unison, which has more than 4,000 members, said the union was mindful of the potential breakdown of industrial relations if no agreement is reached and the council decides to go ahead with the move.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (7)
at 18:00 on March 2nd, 2009
I never believe these bosses who say they have no choice but to...... They need to learn a bit more about problem solving, or to consider how such excuses whittle away their credibility! But there again, perhaps the Socialist Worker crowd is behind the strikes. If so, then they have problems!
at 19:22 on March 2nd, 2009
Who will pay taxes once every one is laid off?
at 01:44 on April 25th, 2009
Hi All
I think everyone here is under the impression that EVERY council worker is on a great wage.
I was a "victim" of the single status implementation within Renfrewshire Council and along with a small percentage (4%), had my job regraded and a wage cut put in place.I am currently earning under £6.50 an hour.If any of you think that's high then I pity you for what you earn.
I came out of the union (Unison) as in my opinion they partly agreed to this implementation.The last strike was in October, which I never took part in because there was no way I was striking to support my higher paid workmates.
If after the 90 day consultation, it is deemed that I may be fired and then rehired, then I'm hoping that I may benefit from it.
at 23:49 on March 2nd, 2009
This is the council area where I live and I feel they they are striking or demanding something every other day.
The council pay a high wage and in my opinion the staff have great pay, great benefits, great sick pay, office staff have flexi time and paid well above the average of what they should be paid.
They are luck to have such a safe, secure job and they know it.
Sack the lot of them and strip them of all their perks, see how they like it then.
I'm all for people bettering themselves, but this is blatant greed.
at 23:51 on March 2nd, 2009
I doubt it would happen, how could it?
They cost to pay off all their staff would be massive.
It's scare tattics but the council will give in to their demands, then in a couple of months my bins won't be emptied again for a couple of weeks.
at 23:54 on March 2nd, 2009
I live in this area Gerry and I don't see the problem with working conditions.
Our council pays out of the highest wages around the area. The council's money is down and they are cutting local services.
Thing need to change but the staff won't budge.
at 10:43 on March 3rd, 2009
The same in Glasgow Mudricky a have a pal who works for the council and she is getting herself ready for job cuts.She is with the envirmental section and says all her her workmates are at the offices everyday waiting like sitting ducks to see who is out next.