GLASGOW City Council bosses said it's not too late to stop the fire and rehire of more than 20,000 staff
It comes as opposition councillors have hit out at Glasgow City Council’s decision to fire and rehire more than 20,000 staff.
The authority is taking the step after talks on implementing the new pay and grading scheme broke down.
GMB and Unite had agreed to put the deal before their members but Unison refused stating it was unfair.
Glasgow’s Labour Group said the SNP who has control of the council should be “ashamed”.
Labour Leader Rashid Hussain said: “The prospect of fire and rehire being used against thousands of Glasgow City Council workers is an egregious development.
"The SNP administration should be ashamed that it has allowed the situation to reach this point. “These are the people who clean our streets, care for vulnerable Glaswegians and keep essential council services running. They deserve security and respect, not the threat of dismissal hanging over them.”
He said Labour had voted against using fire and rehire at a meeting last month but the SNP and Greens voted in favour and said talks must resume between the council and unions. He added: “This could be the biggest Fire and Rehire in history.
“The SNP and Greens chose to press ahead. They now need to take responsibility, rule out fire and rehire and find an agreement with the workforce.”
The Green group said collective agreement is the right way forward.
Glasgow Greens, group co-leader, Lana Reid-McConnell, said: “We have always been clear that collective agreement is the right way to implement the new pay and grading system, bringing an end to pay discrimination in Glasgow.
“Unions and officers need to get back round the table as soon as possible and get a deal that can be put to workers. Union members have the right to be consulted on the best possible offer, and to have their say on the deal.
“We are incredibly concerned that negotiations have broken down in this way. We will firmly oppose fire and rehire, which should never have been threatened and must not happen. “
Meanwhile, the council said it is not too late for the decision to be reversed and urged Unison to return to talks.
Colin Edgar, director of communications, said: “It’s extremely difficult.
“It’s a hellish situation and nobody wants to do this. In the past, when Glasgow City Council has dismissed (workers) and re-engaged them, we have not done it lightly, and we haven’t taken this decision lightly.
“We absolutely do not want to do this. Two of our trade unions were together with us on a plan to not do this.
“One of them was not, and it’s really important that we get back around the table and agree what to do.”
He added: “There is absolutely time to reverse this. If we can get back around the table, if we can get collective agreement from our three unions then the council will withdraw these dismissal notices.”
Unison meanwhile said the decision was down to the council.
Sylvia Haughney, Glasgow education convener at Unison, said: “Glasgow City Council have put themselves in this position about fire and rehire.
“They do not need to do that. That’s their choice to do it, and it’s just shocking and disgraceful that they have decided to do that to over 23,000 employees.
“We can’t put that ballot to our members until we get a better offer, a better proposal for those who are facing detriment.
“We are willing to meet with the council to discuss further offers that they could put in place, and we will ballot our members, but not until we get a better offer.”
