Union deal ends fire-and-rehire threat for 23,000 Glasgow civic workers

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Glasgow City Council and the Unison union have reached an agreement to resolve equal pay disputes and avoid potential fire-and-rehire actions affecting 23,000 non-teaching staff. The deal protects pay for vulnerable workers for three years and leads to an upcoming Unison ballot, with further talks planned to address remaining equality issues.

Glasgow City Council has reached an agreement with Unison union, averting one of the largest fire-and-rehire threats involving 23,000 non-teaching council employees. The deal follows prolonged negotiations aimed at resolving longstanding equal pay issues through a revised pay and grading system.

Earlier talks involving the council and the GMB, Unite, and Unison unions had stalled after Unison refused to hold a ballot on the proposed pay structure. The collapse led the council to notify its entire non-teaching workforce at the end of last month that they faced potential dismissal and reappointment under new terms, a move that sparked strong opposition from unions, council workers, and political parties.

The original proposal, which prompted Unison’s withdrawal, would have reduced wages for about 11% of the staff. Under the new agreement, these workers’ pay will be safeguarded for three years. Although Unison acknowledged that several issues remain unsettled, the union confirmed it would proceed with a ballot among its members this month. Further negotiations are set to continue, particularly on matters related to the equality impacts of the updated pay framework.

Ricky Bell, leader of Glasgow City Council, expressed relief at the resolution, describing the deal as “strong and fair.” He noted that both GMB and Unite unions have already agreed to submit the agreement to their members for approval and that with all three unions now engaging their memberships, the council is advancing toward its goal of eliminating pay discrimination. Bell clarified that no additional funding was part of the package but thanked the Scottish government for providing support that helped facilitate the agreement.

Chris Sermanni, Unison’s Glasgow city branch secretary, praised the union’s firm stance, stating that Glasgow workers deserved better terms than those initially offered. He emphasized that the agreement allows members to consider the offer without the immediate threat of job loss and rehire hanging over them. Sermanni added that the union intends to continue providing information to ensure members can make an informed decision during the upcoming ballot process, which will last four weeks. A detailed timeline for the ballot is expected in the coming days.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.