Glasgow strike averted as council drops plan to convert public holidays to annual leave

By The Press Association21st May 2016News EnglandGlasgow / Lanarkshire, Local Authorities, News Scotland, Strike, Workforce

Union leaders have welcomed a council decision to drop plans to convert six public holidays into annual leave, which had sparked the threat of strikes.

Members of the GMB at Glasgow City Council had voted in favour of industrial action in protest at the proposal.

GMB Scotland Officer, Benny Rankin, said: “We are pleased the council has listened to the concerns of our members and climbed-down from its imposition plan, which could have plunged thousands of low paid workers into the ranks of the working poor.

“Our campaign of resistance has protected our members interests but there can be no doubt that the swingeing cuts to local government funding means the road ahead will be tough for all local government workers across Scotland.

“GMB Scotland is calling on all our councils to engage positively with trade unions and their members and work with us to find alternatives to an austerity agenda that is punishing working people and their communities.”

The council said it had decided to withdraw proposals to replace some public holidays with annual leave, having made “significant” progress delivering budget savings.

The council has to save £130 million.

The council’s executive member for personnel, Martin Rhodes said: “The council is facing the greatest budget cuts in its history from the Scottish Government. However, our staff are making considerable progress in delivering the reforms and efficiencies that are required to protect frontline services.

“As a result, we are now in a position to withdraw proposals to make alterations to public holidays. This progress on budget savings will also allow the council to improve some elements of frontline services further in the near future.”