Glasgow council says it has 'no more money' as workers vote on pay overhaul
Council leader Ricky Bell says the authority has reached its limit as unions ballot thousands of staff on a new pay structure that will see around 11% face a wage cut.
Inside Glasgow City Chambers. File photo. · Photograph: Colin (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Glasgow City Council says it has nothing more to offer its workers as trade unions ballot members on a new pay and grading structure.
Council leader Ricky Bell told Thursday's full council meeting that there was no more money available from either the council or the Scottish Government.
What is at stake?
The new structure will replace a 2006 scheme that discriminated against mainly female workers. But around 11% of staff face a pay cut, with the biggest drop expected to be about £11,500 a year.
The council previously reached an agreement with the joint trade unions that removed the need to consider dismissing staff and re-engaging them on new terms.
'We cannot be dishonest'
Labour group leader Rashid Hussain asked Mr Bell for an unequivocal commitment that the council would not use dismissal and re-engagement to impose the new structure.
Mr Bell said his absolute commitment was to reach a collective agreement with the three unions. But he warned that if members reject the offer, the council has no more money to put on the table.
He said the Scottish Government had made a late intervention in the last round of talks, providing funding to extend the period of pay protection for those losing out, but had made clear it would not come back with more.
He said he was always happy to talk to the unions but would not be dishonest about what the council could afford.
GMB members have previously protested against the scheme outside the City Chambers. The result of the ballot is expected in the coming weeks.