Glasgow council workers face pay cuts in fire-and-rehire plan after union talks break down
Glasgow City Council has initiated a fire-and-rehire process for approximately 23,000 non-teaching staff after negotiations with major unions collapsed over a new pay and grading system. The dispute centers on a proposal that would result in pay cuts for 11% of employees, leading to temporary pauses in the process as mediation efforts continue. Union representatives and local politicians have criticized the council's approach, citing concerns about the timing of the moves relative to upcoming changes in UK employment law.
- ▪About 23,000 non-teaching Glasgow council workers are affected by the fire-and-rehire plan following the breakdown of talks between the SNP-led council and the GMB, Unison, and Unite unions.
- ▪Unison refused to ballot its members on an offer that included pay cuts for 11% of staff, which prompted the council to begin issuing termination and reappointment letters.
- ▪Scottish Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth stated that fire-and-rehire practices do not align with fair work principles and chaired mediation talks that secured a temporary pause in the scheme.
- ▪The council's decision to proceed with the plan has drawn criticism for potentially exploiting a legal loophole, as the 12-week notice period expires just before fire-and-rehire becomes illegal in January.
- ▪Green councillors attempted to block the scheme with an emergency motion, which was rejected by the City Administration Committee, while workers expressed significant anxiety and anger over the situation.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — Politics |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/oct/04/glasgow-council-workers-face-pay-cuts-in-fire-and-rehire-plan-after-union-talks-break-down |
| Publication time | Sun, 04 Oct 2026 09:13:29 GMT |
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Members of the Unite, Unison and GMB unions protest outside Glasgow City Chambers. Photograph: Cameron Scott/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockView image in fullscreenMembers of the Unite, Unison and GMB unions protest outside Glasgow City Chambers. Photograph: Cameron Scott/ZUMA Press Wire/ShutterstockLocal governmentGlasgow council workers face pay cuts in fire-and-rehire plan after union talks break downUnison refuses to ballot members on offer that would see thousands of council employees worse offEve LivingstonSun 4 Oct 2026 05.13 EDTLast modified on Sun 4 Oct 2026 05.14 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThousands of Glasgow council workers face being sacked and reappointed under less favourable terms in one of the UK’s biggest ever “fire-and-rehire” exercises, after union negotiations…
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