Staff at local authority care homes have been told to accept new working conditions or face losing their jobs.
They have been targeted as part of a major cost-cutting drive by Perth and Kinross Council to save £380,000.
Carers will be forced to work 12 hours a day and sign up to a six-week rota with day and night shifts. These changes are expected to result in pay cuts for almost a quarter of employees, although they will be offered additional hours.
The controversial measures for staff at Beechgrove House in Perth, Dalweem in Aberfeldy and Parkdale in Auchterarder have been outlined in a report set to go before councillors on Wednesday.
Housing and community care service manager Colin Johnston revealed the new terms and conditions would be implemented within the next two weeks.
He also advised that letters would be sent to all members of staff, seeking their agreement to the revised working arrangements.
He said: “This step will identify those who will agree to a variation in their contracts of employment and those who will not.
“Staff who do not agree to vary their contracts of employment will be advised that they will be served notice that their employment will be terminated, with the offer to be re-engaged on the revised terms and conditions.”
Unison told The Courier they were “concerned” about the proposals.
The trade union has been in talks with Perth and Kinross Council for the last 12 months, trying to negotiate different terms, including scrapping the 12-hour shifts and ensuring staff who cannot work the new rotas are redeployed.
A spokesperson said: “As you can see from these proposals, we have every reason to be concerned. Unison members believe that vulnerable people in Perth and Kinross should get the best possible care.
“We are not sure cuts of £380,000 and asking our members to work 12-hour shifts will achieve this. We have been negotiating for over a year with the council and we will continue to engage with them until we can reach an agreement.
“However, very soon we will have to ballot our members on whether they wish to accept the proposals or take further action,” the spokesperson said.
As part of the proposals, capacity at the three homes will also be significantly reduced, as occupancy levels are currently standing at around 60%.
Bed space at Dalweem will be halved from 32 to 16, while at Beechgrove it will be cut by a third from 48 to 32. Parkdale will only lose eight beds, providing accommodation for 40 residents.
In his report, Mr Johnston said: “Overall, the revised working arrangements will have a neutral or positive financial impact for the vast majority of staff; however, there will be a negative financial impact on 20 of the 90 staff currently employed in the care homes through loss of allowances or a reduction in hours available to work.
“Steps have been taken to mitigate the financial impact and facilitate the change by offering additional hours of work and offering a transition payment.
“The majority of staff accept the need for the proposed changes and staff feedback would suggest that a number would welcome them.
“Notwithstanding that, there are also staff who are prepared to give the new arrangements a chance to work, with the understanding that an evaluation will take place to assess the impact on service users.”