Hundreds of jobs to go at Glasgow Life
An estimated 500 workers at community centres and libraries will go - but the organisation says that'll partly be through early retirement and voluntary redundancy.
Last updated 8th Jul 2021
Up to 500 job are set to go at Glasgow Life, which runs libraries, sports centres and museums across the city.
It comes one week on from the People's Palace reopening its doors to the public.
The organisation operates 171 venues across Glasgow - so far 90 have been given the green light to reopen.
But it says the current policy is for no compulsory redundancies and that while the overall head count will fall by 500 - staff may also be offered redeployment opportunities.
A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said:
“Glasgow Life’s current policy is for no compulsory redundancies and staff have a guarantee of a job at the same grade within the Council family.
"While our overall headcount will reduce by an estimated 500 over time this is being managed using targeted early retirement and voluntary redundancy and careful vacancy management as people leave to pursue new career opportunities."
"This reduction is not being delivered through venues without re-opening dates. Staff may also be offered redeployment opportunities and will be supported with appropriate training if they move to a new role."
“This cost saving strategy is a vital part of the process of recovery Glasgow Life has been forced to undertake by the global pandemic while it is being supported by Glasgow City Council through its £100 million funding guarantee for the next 5 years.
"Glasgow Life will be a very different organisation at the end of this period and we are asking staff for flexibility during this process and are regularly updating them through internal communications and briefings from their managers; and unions are also regularly updated."
“In May, Glasgow City Council passed a motion resolving that all Glasgow Life venues should reopen as soon as funding and Scottish Government guidance allows. Glasgow Life’s ability to open more venues is entirely dependent on more funding becoming available.
"However, it’s unrealistic to expect that it can raise significant additional income this year that will support the reopening of venues beyond the 91 already announced.”
There were calls back in May for the Scottish Government to step in and offer support.
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