Aberdeen could be “chaotic” according to one union, as council workers prepare for strike action amid claims of the local authority utilising “fire and rehire” tactics.
Dozens of union members protested outside the Town House on Wednesday as the local authority looks to reduce hours for staff as part of cost saving measures.
The council has proposed a pay freeze after cutting the working week from 37 to 35 hours and would essentially impose new contracts on staff.
If enacted, the plans would cut workers’ wages by up to 104 hours per year, impacting over 3,000 workers across administrative, waste, library, janitorial, craft, social work, and housing roles at Aberdeen City Council.
Unite have warned that widespread industrial action would lead to a significant reduction in the provision of some of the city’s most vital services.
Members of the GMB union have backed strike action, while Unite and Unison are balloting their members.
Unison branch secretary Mel Watson told STV News: “I think it will be very chaotic because the three unions are talking about this together.
“It won’t only be bins not being emptied, it’ll be social workers not available, it will be staff taking payments from citizens not available, repairs not getting done to the roads or council houses.
“We have members in all sectors of the council”.
Councillor Alex McLellan says a final offer is set to be tabled, and he believes it would be “premature” for council workers to take strike action.
He told STV News: “We’re moving this forward to support the entire workforce and avoid redundancies in years to come.
“The consultation process is ongoing and once that concludes there will be a final offer put to Unions and staff. The Unions don’t know what that final offer will be yet.
“I think it’s premature to consider industrial action”.
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