A PLANNED strike by hundreds of city council workers is likely to be avoided following a decision to scrap plans to cut staff wages.

Members of the GMB union voted four to one to walk out for two days next month affecting a wide range of frontline service.

Staff working in cleansing, refuse collection, land and environment, bereavement services and social care were unhappy about a decision to convert holiday pay into annual leave costing some up to £1000 a year.

Glasgow Times:

But the council has done a U-turn meaning the strike will almost certainly be called off.

It says it has decided withdraw proposals to replace some public holidays with annual leave as it has made significant progress delivering budget savings.

The council has to save £130 million over two years, but says current budget out-turns are stronger than expected at this stage.

Personnel spokesman 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.

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“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.”

Glasgow Times:

The decision was welcomed by GMB full-time organiser Benny Rankin who said the decision came out of the blue.

He said: “It was a surprise to me as I was told by one of my members who knew before me but I am very pleased at the outcome.

“For the GMB members it means they don’t have to take industrial action. They provide frontline services to the citizens of Glasgow and we were not wanting to hurt anyone who needs these services.”

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Mr Rankin said the union still wants to talk to council bosses about a number of other issues including flexi-time.

He added: “We still have a few things we need to get solved but this decision is a positive conclusion and we are very pleased for the GMB and the citizens of Glasgow.

“We have maintained right along that Glasgow needs reinvesting in because services are at breaking point and this is a bit of a sticking plaster.

“The decision maintains members terms and conditions but Glasgow City Council really needs to look at how they provide the services without trying to attack terms and conditions and the people of Glasgow.”