FURIOUS workers took to the streets in Aberdeen today as the council threatens to fire and rehire more than 3,000 staff.

Unison, Unite and GMB members rallied outside the council chambers as the city’s Labour group brought forward a motion to ditch plans for cut staff hours from 37 to 35 hours in exchange for a two year pay freeze.

Labour councillor Nurul Hoque Ali told colleagues that “fire and hire is disgraceful,” saying that the council risked “imposing this on 3,500 staff just before it becomes unlawful.”

Defending the plan, SNP councillor Christian Allard told the chamber he “did not want to interfere with the negotiations between our officers and the unions.”

But unions remained far from impressed with the plan.

Unison’s Karen Davidson told the Star: “We are concerned the council will try to impose this change without further discussions and that can’t happen.”

Branding the policy “bullying tactics,” GMB’s Keir Greenaway said: “Our councils and other public sector organisations should be looking to the best employers for inspiration not the worst and most unscrupulous.”

All trade unions at the council have warned that the fire and rehire action would be a breach of the Fair Work First agreements the Scottish government insists councils sign in order to receive millions in grants funding.

“The council needs to think very carefully about what that will mean,” warned Unite’s Graham McNab.

“Hiding this shoddy fire and rehire behind the claim of reducing working hours is a farce. 

“We support reductions in the working day, but workers cannot be put in detriment as they are here.

“A two-year pay freeze for workers is a pay cut, pure and simple.

“Make no mistake, our members are furious and we are actively considering a ballot for industrial action.”

The vote took place as the Star went to press.