Union leaders have pledged to call off industrial action if Dundee City Council follows through on plans to scrap its controversial Managing Workforce Change policy.
The scheme would see pay protection reduced from three years to one for people who move to different jobs and changes to regulations so employees seeking flexible retirement must retire fully within three years.
Trade unions have expressed concern over the introduction of a position that the local authority would consider compulsory redundancies as a “last resort”.
Leaders claim this contradicts a long-standing council policy against compulsory redundancies in all circumstances, although the administration has insisted no such position was ever formalised.
Unite confirmed last week that more than 500 workers will take up industrial action following two ballots at Dundee City Council’s construction and environmental services departments.
Members plan to withdraw services in all council departments over the summer months from the start of July, with workers due to initially go on strike for 12 working days and then every Monday and Tuesday thereafter.
Thousands of members are also scheduled to be balloted from next week in the parks, leisure and culture, and housing departments.
However in a major change of position, administration leader John Alexander confirmed on Friday that councillors will be asked to rescind the Managing Workforce Change policy at a meeting of the policy and resources committee tonight.
Unite regional industrial officer George Ramsay said: “Unite members in the hundreds have demonstrated that workers who are organised can defend themselves when necessary.
“The union has received a resounding legal mandate, the only trade union to achieve this, and we are scheduled to ballot thousands more from next week.
“It is this industrial muscle and determination, which has brought Dundee city councillors back to their senses. This is the sole reason why councillors are on the brink of a climbdown.”
Mr Ramsay said the union’s stance had “benefited all Dundee City Council workers” and confirmed if the reversal of the administration’s position is confirmed this evening, Unite will call off all of the scheduled strike.
Jim McFarlane from Unison also welcomed the change of position but warned the row has “damaged relations” between trade union leaders and the ruling administration.
Mr Alexander said although the council is prepared to shelve the Managing Workforce Change policy, an agreement will still need to be reached with union leaders over future changes.
He added: “I am keen to see unions and council officers working together at pace to resolve any concerns and for a report to be brought back to committee as soon as possible on an agreed position.
“I will be pressing officers to move quickly to bring this to a positive conclusion.”
