New talks have begun between Glasgow City Council, the Unison union and Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth over a contested pay regrading system, BBC News reported on 1 October.
The dispute
The new system is intended to replace one found to discriminate against mainly women workers. According to the BBC, it would leave about 11% of staff worse off, with some losing up to £11,000 a year. The council had planned to fire and rehire about 23,000 workers on new terms but agreed to pause that plan.
Conflicting messages
A council statement on Wednesday night said talks had broken down. At a committee meeting the next day, council leader Ricky Bell denied there had been a breakdown and said talks were continuing with the GMB and Unite. A Green motion asking him to rule out fire and rehire was not accepted.
What happens next
Ms Gilruth had previously intervened to bring the parties together. The outcome of the talks will determine whether the new pay structure goes ahead and on what terms.
