West Dunbartonshire Council roofers are set to be transferred to a private firm as workers fume over the 'money-making' move.
GMB Scotland has accused the local authority of "selling out tenants and risking roofers' safety".
Twelve workers have been told that West Dunbartonshire Council’s Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) insists they have to transfer to a private firm to save money amid a housing emergency.
READ NEXT: Bakers selling viral Dubai chocolate at Clydebank shopping centre
GMB, representing the roofers, says the move is unnecessary, risks standards and safety, and is causing months of uncertainty and stress for the staff involved.
Gary McIntosh, GMB Scotland organiser at West Dunbartonshire Council, said: “This restructuring plan has already caused huge uncertainty for the workers involved.
“They have been forced to wait two months to be told about their transfer to new employers and must now endure many more months of uncertainty and stress as the tendering process is extended.
“Throughout this needless process, the voice of the workers has been ignored, and it is time for the council to pause these plans and review alternative ways forward.
“This proposal will not save money, risks undermining standards for repairs for tenants and jeopardises the health and safety of the workers.
“The council roofing service should be kept in-house to ensure the tenants in West Dunbartonshire get the quality of work they deserve and the staff involved are properly protected.”
The union says the DLO, which delivers building and maintenance work for the council, charges £60 an hour for staff, arguing it can never beat private firms on price. It is calling for a review of costs and contracts to ensure more work is kept in-house.
Douglas McAllister, the Labour MP for West Dunbartonshire, has written to the council’s chief executive, Peter Hesset, to raise the workers’ “significant concerns” and support GMB Scotland’s calls for the privatisation to be paused and urgently reviewed.
The spokesperson said: “The wellbeing of employees is our priority, and the workforce has been fully supported through our Organisational Change policy.
“Feedback was sought from every employee through a service-wide consultation, with updates also provided to the workforce and trade unions regularly.
“A review of the service identified that the cost of internal delivery was significantly more than an external contractor.
“Before a contractor is appointed, they will have to evidence compliance with existing health and safety standards and preserve employee rights and continuity of employment.
“We will continue to liaise with employees as the process progresses.”
Share