Glasgow City Council has agreed to suspend its controversial plan to fire and rehire more than 23,000 staff members. The decision comes after emergency online negotiations between the council and three major trade unions—Unison, the GMB, and Unite—were chaired by Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth. Letters notifying staff of their dismissal and subsequent re-engagement under new contracts, which were scheduled for distribution, will no longer be issued.
Confronted with allegations of bullying tactics and concerns over significant pay cuts for a minority of workers, the SNP-led authority had previously insisted on overhauling a pay system ruled discriminatory against female employees in roles such as catering and cleaning. While the new grading structure would benefit approximately 63% of affected staff, it is projected to reduce wages for 11% of them, a figure that has sparked intense grievance among union representatives.
Gilruth confirmed that the Scottish government opposes the practice of fire and rehire, urging both sides to return to the negotiating table early next week. She emphasized that the government expects all parties to adhere to fair work principles and to exhaust every possibility for reaching a collective agreement. “Given the significance of this situation and the impact on staff, I wanted to bring all parties together to make clear that I expect negotiations… to continue,” Gilruth stated.
The Scottish Trades Unions Congress, representing the three unions, welcomed the lifting of the threat but stressed that future talks must be supported by additional funding. David Hume, a GMB organizer, acknowledged the council had initially erred but praised its willingness to reconsider. He argued that after seven years of negotiation, the revised structure should be presented to members for a vote immediately.
For individual employees, the prospect of the overhaul has been deeply distressing. Joanne, a support-for-learning worker with 25 years of service, described being left in tears after learning she would face a £300 annual pay reduction. “I came away from my work crying… I am working with the most vulnerable children in society,” she said, adding that the council’s assertion that it cares for its employees rang hollow.
Colin Edgar, Glasgow City Council’s communications director, characterized the standoff as a “hellish situation” that no one desired. He maintained that the drastic measure was a necessary consequence of rectifying an unlawful pay scheme and assured staff that continuity of employment would be preserved. Meanwhile, Unison’s education convener, Sylvia Haughey, defended her union’s refusal to ballot members, accusing the council of using intimidation rather than seeking genuine dialogue.
The upcoming changes coincide with UK-wide employment law reforms taking effect on January 1, which will render dismissing employees for refusing contract changes automatically unfair. Both the GMB and Unite have previously criticized the council’s initial decision to proceed with dismissals, with Unite labeling it a “scandalous threat.” Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander also called for the parties to find a constructive path forward.
Interesting timing with the new employment laws in January. Did the council really think this would hold?
Seven years of talks and we are here? The unions need to stop blocking ballots and just vote.
I cried reading about Joanne. Twenty-five years of service and a £300 cut? This is heartbreaking.
Sixty-three percent gain while eleven percent lose? That’s not fixing discrimination, that’s swapping victims.
Good riddance to fire and rehire. The law is changing anyway, so this pause was likely inevitable.