Unions to call Acas into Glasgow Life dispute

by Malcolm Burns

Glasgow City UNISON and other unions in the city’s culture and leisure body have agreed to approach the arbitration service Acas in a bid to resolve a long running dispute over cuts to pay and conditions.

A mass meeting of UNISON, Unite, GMB and BECTU members who work for Glasgow Life (formerly Culture and Sport Glasgow) agreed to call in Acas following a series of well-supported selective actions and all out one day strikes since April.

The unions are opposing a 10% pay cut for 150 workers and a pay freeze for all other staff; and to protect existing conditions, including public holiday arrangements and overtime rates.

Sam Macartney, Glasgow Branch Service Conditions Officer, said: “We have assured our members that this is not an attempt to concede any of the issues but to seek further dialogue with an entrenched employer.”

UNISON has criticised Glasgow Life management for breaching employment regulations by encouraging third party agencies to cross lawful picket lines in “desperate attempts” to break successful strike actions over recent weeks.

Sam added: “Our members have faced obstruction and hassle from third parties which management have hired. These unwanted intruders backed off when we started videoing their unacceptable behaviour. We believe the people of Glasgow do not want such actions to force unfair pay cuts and poorer conditions on the workers who provide them with much-valued services.”

The unions have agreed to continue the joint campaign while seeking progress with Glasgow Life through Acas. A further mass meeting is due on 11 August.

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