Union warns of unrest over equal pay measures
19 Sep 06
GMB Scotland in warning over imposing new contracts on council employees
The council workers' union GMB Scotland has warned that industrial action or legal challenges could take place, as local authorities put in place changes to employment contracts intended to give male and female staff the same rights.
GMB Scotland's main gripe is with the SNP-run Falkirk Council - the first to impose pay terms and conditions on its employees - as some workers will lose out on previous bonuses as others are brought up to the same standard.
GMB Scotland's senior organiser Alex McLuckie said the decision to impose the new contract was an effective dismissal of 5,000 workers. He said he was aware of other councils preparing to take the same action as Falkirk and this could result in industrial unrest across all councils.
David Alexander, leader of Falkirk Council and the SNP spokesperson for local government, said the letters sent out to staff stressed that the council wished to retain the services of all, and that all employees had been offered new contracts.
The new contracts will be effective from December and were needed to deal with legislative requirements on equal pay. Mr Alexander said that almost 50% of employees had accepted the new contracts, and having exhausted all other options, the council had sent out new contracts to all those who had not accepted.