Union's pay fear for council staff

The council may turn its back on Cosla

A leading union has warned that council workers could suffer if Glasgow goes ahead with plans to withdraw from Scotland's local government umbrella organisation.

The GMB claims the city's decision to leave the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) would have an impact on the terms of employment for its workers, leading to poorer pay and conditions.

It has written to council leader, Charles Gordon, setting out its concerns and seeking assurances that proper procedures will be used in wage negotiations.

The ruling Labour group at Glasgow City Council recommended the authority cancel its subscription to Cosla in December.

The council pays £300,000 to Cosla annually

This will be decided on as part of the budget process in February.

The annual membership fee of £300,000 is set to be used to fund facilities and services for special needs children in the city.

But, Alex McLuckie, GMB Scotland senior organiser for public services, said: "The decision of Glasgow City Council to resign from Cosla could have a significant impact on how councils employ new or existing staff and in the way unions negotiate their members' terms and conditions.

"We could see a two-tier system for workers in local government - existing employees under the Cosla-negotiated system and new employees with inferior contracts, lower pay and poorer terms and conditions.

"The Glasgow move also raises the nightmare scenario of more councils in Scotland taking this step.

"So we could have 32 different rounds of pay negotiations and real variations on workers' pay and conditions."

A council spokeswoman said a final decision had not been made on whether to leave Cosla.

She said: "We took soundings from several senior officials in the council who are of the view that there will be no detrimental effect on services, were we to go ahead."