GLASGOW City Council has begun the process of bringing thousands of workers back under their control again.

More than 6,500 Cordia and Community Safety Glasgow workers will be under the employment of the local authority again once plans are formally approved.

A report is going to the council’s city administration committee for a decision on April 19 about the future of Cordia and the services delivered by Community Safety Glasgow.

Once the plans are given the green-light Cordia staff, who include home carers and school janitors, will transfer to council employment on September 30. Community Safety Glasgow staff will be earmarked to transfer over to the council on March 31, next year.

The move was made by the SNP administration after the Arm’s-length External Organisations (ALEOs) was previously set up by the Labour-run Glasgow City Council.

Home care and associated services will go to the local authority’s social work services. School cleaners, caterers and janitors along with Encore Catering will be part of Property and Land Services. The HR, finance and business support workforce will be split between the two council departments.

The exact transfer arrangements are less clear for the 400 Community Safety Glasgow workers as that ALEO has a different legal status from the rest.

The council’s chief executive, Annemarie O’Donnell, said: “The council has an ongoing responsibility to review its structures and the delivery of its services to make sure we continue to meet legislative changes, avoid duplication and deliver best value efficient and effective services for the city.

“We also need to consider that The shape of the council family has changed since the ALEOs were established and new legislative partnerships have been formed, including the Health and Social Care partnership with the NHS and the more recent Glasgow Community Planning Partnership.

“With all this in mind, The recommendations in the report are a result of more detailed business cases with input from all affected areas of the council family to achieve the best operating model for council services.”

The move has been welcomed by the trade union Unison, who opposed the implementation of ALEOs in the first place.

Brian Smith, UNISON Glasgow Branch Secretary, said: “These ALEOs are nothing but a combination of tax wheezes, a chance to hammer workers terms and conditions and an attempt to minimise equal pay claims. Previous Labour leaders also used places on ALEO boards to hand out ‘sweeties to their pals’ or control political infighting. Well done to our members for keeping up the fight over the years." 

Frank McAveety, Labour group leader, said: “The council had to create these entities in 2006 but the circumstances have changed, however tax payers still need value for money.”