WORCESTERSHIRE County Council plans to fire and rehire more than 140 workers despite the governments move to ban the controversial practice, UNISON has warned.
The council’s plans to dismiss 143 staff from their contracts of 37 hours and rehire them on a 35 hour contract, means a 5.4 per cent pay cut.
The union said the changes also mean the staff will get less from their pensions when they retire.
The loss of hours will affect the council’s ability to process planning applications and flood risk assessments added the union.
The hours lost across the council is around 13,422, equivalent to eight full time workers.
UNISON West Midlands regional organiser Jack Kay said: “The outrageous plan to sack loyal, long-serving employees and take them back on inferior contracts flies in the face of the new government’s plan to end this brutal and outdated employment practice.
“Rather than risk breaking the law, councillors should reconsider their damaging proposals, which would force a pay cut on staff, affect their pensions and hit local services too.”
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “We have engaged in consultation with approximately 150 staff on the Council’s reduced working hours strategy which was first introduced in 2011.
“The proposal was to reduce the contracted hours of this group from 37 hours to 35 hours per week.
“This small cohort of staff, less than 6 per cent or our workforce, remain working 37 hours in what is deemed to be a 35 hour non-exempt post which has resulted in the disparity across the workforce.
“Officers first commenced consultation in December 2023 as part of a range of workforce saving proposals which were approved by Council in the 2024/25 budget.
“We have been in dialogue with staff affected by the proposed change and the Council’s recognised trade unions, both prior to and throughout the process in accordance with the Council’s policies.
“Following the completion of the consultation, the Chief Executive authorised the proposals to be implemented.
“The Council remains committed to full and meaningful consultation and always aims to achieve agreement to any proposals it makes.
“It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage as the process is ongoing.”
