Friday October 2nd 2026
Glasgow City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
Glasgow’s Green councillors are urging the new city leader to personally rule out fire and rehire after a move to ban the practice was blocked.
The Greens had tabled an emergency motion to today’s City Administration Committee (CAC) meeting warning that the council risks “one of the largest fire and rehire schemes in the UK” if it is not removed.
The motion was not accepted by chairman of the CAC and council leader, councillor Ricky Bell.
It comes after councillors were informed by officers that there is and has never been a legal or democratic method for councillors to remove fire and rehire from plans for the new pay and grading scheme.
Officers have warned that there would be no alternative way to deliver equal pay to fall back on if discussions did not reach an agreement, short of special measures.
Speaking on the block, Greens co-leader Anthony Carroll said: “We are facing a genuine cliff-edge of one of the largest fire and rehire schemes in the UK being implemented.
“Greens had pushed for banning the practice through a motion this morning, however late last night we were informed that officers and the SNP believed there is no way to implement the pay and grading scheme without it on the table still, leaving no legal or democratic route to ban fire and rehire.
“Labour’s amendment last month did not say to ban fire and rehire, instead just delay it. That is why their amendment was not blocked, like our motion was this morning.
“We are angry and shocked that the SNP administration moved to fire and rehire all 23,000 staff last week despite its own government’s position.
“We regret we couldn’t all see an end to the threat of fire and rehire last month or this morning, however we want to work with all parties to see it taken permanently off the table.
“Ultimately, the leader of the Council can and should rule this out.”
The motion would have called on the committee to note the severe distress caused to workers by the planned issuing of three month ‘fire and rehire’ notices associated with the implementation of the council’s pay and grading scheme.
Co-leader Lana Reid-McConnell added: “It is about time the Scottish Government accepted some responsibility following many years of underfunding Glasgow City Council however their offer of one year additional pay protection does not go far enough.
“The Depute First Minister needs to put more money on the table now or the SNP administration will move to fire and rehire Council staff, undermining her own party’s position.”
Glasgow City Council has been asked for comment.
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