GMB union officials back strikes at Glasgow City Council over pay and conditions
Union officials have voted in favour of strikes at Glasgow City Council in a dispute over pay and conditions.
Union officials have voted in favour of strikes at Glasgow City Council in a dispute over pay and conditions.
GMB shop stewards unanimously voted on Friday for industrial action in protest at the removal of bank holidays from workers' contracts and changes to flexi-time working.
The changes include six public holidays being replaced with annual leave days are part of £130 million cuts over the next two years approved at the council's budget meeting earlier this month.
The trade unions claim staff who regularly receive enhanced payments for working the set holidays will lose out on £500 a year on average.
GMB Scotland will ballot members working for the council over the next month with a view to holding a minimum two-day strike in either May or June.
GMB regional organiser Benny Rankin said "GMB Scotland's members have consistently told the council that we will oppose these changes. This was never an empty threat, and if the council ever thought it was, this will be yet another error in a long line of errors from this administration.
"Our members are determined to see this fight through to the end. It is now up to the employer, Glasgow City Council, to come to the table and have meaningful discussions with the trade unions rather than provide sounds bites without any substance.''
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "We are disappointed that GMB Scotland has opted for this course of action. The council is deal with an unprecedented cut to our budget which means we must find £130m of savings in the next two years.
"We will continue to work with the union to find an agreed way forward.''