SASW & SWU strongly insist that Glasgow City Council revoke 'fire & rehire' threats

Following news that Glasgow Council is potentially implementing a fire and rehire of 23,000 workers across the city, SASW and SWU have warned of the imminent damage this will cause to staff trust, livelihoods, and functionality of statutory services, issuing a plea to the Council to seriously re-think their actions.

While stressing that a way forward must be urgently found, SASW and SWU also highlight that this is yet another reason why Social Workers require their own nationally agreed terms and conditions, as set out in SASW's One Deal for Social Work campaign. 

"Calm & Respectful Negotiation Needed"

It is disappointing that posturing politics between parties is creating what is an unacceptable level of distress and anguish for our members and their colleagues while they are tasked with supporting the most at-risk and vulnerable people in the City. We condemned the recent deal that would leave a large number of our members significantly worse off financially, but we also recognise the need to address historic pay injustices without creating new ones.

Negotiations need to find a way forward that avoids sensationalist and inflammatory options of last resort. This requires calm and respectful negotiation from all involved towards a deal that values our members and their colleagues. If negotiations can’t resume and resolve the differences quickly, we will need to see the Scottish Government take an active role in resolving the dispute. As there are such large financial implications for Scotland's biggest city and its public support and protection workforce, this dispute needs to be resolved amicably, responsibly, and quickly.

Trust has already been eroded in the authority as an employer, and the goodwill of the workforce, which the system so much relies on, has been undermined. If fire and rehire goes ahead, there is a significant risk to the authority’s ability to meet its statutory functions, thereby putting those who rely on support and protection in danger. The position our members and their colleagues are now in highlights why social workers so urgently need their own terms and conditions, like teachers who are exempted from this current action.

SASW and SWU issued a joint statement on the Glasgow City Council pay deal here.