Union hits out at council plan to implement ‘fire and re-hire’ scheme to cut staff hours

The Unison trade union has accused Conservative-controlled Worcestershire County Council of trying to push through a ‘fire and re-hire’ exercise before an expected move by the new government to outlaw this.

Worcestershire’s dispute concerns some 150 staff who are due to have their hours reduced from 37 to 35 per week.

West Midlands regional organiser Jack Kay said: ‘The outrageous plan to ‘fire and rehire’ more than 140 long-serving staff on reduced terms flies in the face of the new government’s plan to end this brutal and outdated employment practice.”

Kay added: “With this likely soon to become illegal, councillors should reconsider their damaging proposals, which would force a pay cut on staff, affect their pensions and local services too.”

The King’s Speech referred to an Employment Rights Bill, which although not yet published in detail is expected to ban employers from sacking staff then reengaging them on less favourable terms.

A council spokesperson said: “We have engaged in consultation with approximately 150 staff, less than 6% of the workforce, on the council’s reduced working hours strategy which was first introduced in 2011.

“The proposals are not in respect of a pay cut as the hourly rate of pay remains the same, they are to reduce the working hours of those in scope from 37 hours to 35 hours.

“Approximately 30% of our workforce already work 35 hours per week and it is a common working arrangement, we are now proposing to move these staff to the same working hours as they currently work in a post the council considers to be non-exempt from its reduced working hours strategy. “

Worcestershire consulted on the proposals last December and has now authorised chief executive Paul Robinson to implement the changes.

The spokesperson added: “It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage as the process is ongoing.”

Mark Smulian