Pause on Glasgow City Council fire-and-rehire plan ends as union talks collapse
Council says it will revive plans to rehire staff on new contracts after failed negotiations with Unison
Last updated 1st Oct 2026
Glasgow City Council has confirmed that the pause in issuing letters about its fire-and-rehire plans has come to an end after talks with Unison broke down.
The council had announced plans last week to dismiss 23,000 non-teaching staff, with the intention of rehiring them on new contracts.
This controversial plan was briefly paused following Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth's intervention last Friday.
On Thursday morning, Glasgow City Council stated that Unison had refused to present the council's offer to its members for a vote, leading to a breakdown in negotiations.
As a consequence, the council will resume issuing letters to Unison members but is currently working with Unite and GMB to prevent their members from facing dismissal and rehire.
Council leader 'disappointed'
Councillor Ricky Bell, leader of Glasgow City Council, expressed disappointment with the situation, saying that further pay protection and other improvements were offered, amounting to over one hundred million pounds in additional pay for staff.
He highlighted that despite efforts to address concerns, some demands, particularly those concerning additional allowances, were not feasible and might adversely affect some employees.
The council plans to hold detailed discussions with Unite and GMB unions to finalise arrangements protecting their members from dismissal.
Councillor Bell emphasized that support would be available for affected staff during this challenging period.
Mandy McDowall from Unison told us: "They Glasgow City Council know what we're looking for, and what we'll deliver. But they must take away the threat of 'fire and rehire', it is completely unnecessary.
"It's been used as a way to manipulate us and push a ballot which is far too early in the process."