Union brings action against libraries transfer
29 Mar 07
Unison in bid to halt trust scheme plan for Glasgow cultural services
A trade union has launched a last-minute court action in an attempt to halt the transfer of Glasgow's libraries, museums and leisure centres to a charitable trust.
Unison has lodged a petition with the Court of Session seeking a judicial review of the transfer and an interim interdict to stop it going ahead.
The union is using the Public Libraries (Scotland) Act 1887 to argue that the council acted outwith its authority in allowing the transfer of libraries to the trust, Culture and Sport Glasgow.
Unison is worried the transfer will affect the long-term financial viability of Glasgow's libraries, museums and leisure centres and that this could mean less favourable terms and conditions for staff.
The city council said it and its legal advisers believed the proposals were legally watertight and that they would fight the action. The transfer is thought to be beneficial because the trust would be able to seek private funding and money from the lottery. It would also be exempt from VAT.
Mike Kirby of Unison said the union thought the removal of the democratic control of public services amounted to a tax scam.
A hearing on a motion for interim interdict is expected to take place today.