Union vows to fight ‘fire and rehire’ threat issued to 800 council staff
Devon County Council has threatened to "fire and rehire" more than 800 staff after union members rejected the council's proposal to change the terms and conditions of a car users' allowance it offers to some staff.
Union members "decisively" rejected the council's proposals to revoke the ‘essential car user allowance’ in a recent vote, the GMB union said.
The council is moving to revoke the payments, despite the vote, and has told 834 staff members to accept its terms before 23 March or face being terminated by the end of the month, with dismissal and re-engagement taking place by July.
Devon said removing the payments is part of efforts to modernise and equalise conditions and will save the local authority £500,000.
It also noted that the allowance has already been removed by all other county and unitary councils in the South West region.
According to the council, more than 40% of the staff members who were given the ultimatum last week have now accepted the terms.
Staff that agree to the terms continue receiving the payment for another year.
GMB union has pledged to do "whatever is necessary" to protect its members and urged the council to return to the negotiating table.
Jake McLean, GMB Regional Organiser, said: "Our members have already rejected this offer; bosses need to understand that and treat our members with dignity and respect.
He added: "It's time for Devon County Council to put their toys back in the pram, withdraw this threat and return to the negotiating table, so we can solve this issue.”
A Devon County Council spokesperson meanwhile said: “The essential car user allowance was dated.
“Only 15% of the council workforce were in receipt of it while others claimed business mileage allowance to reimburse them for business travel.”
The spokesperson added: “After lengthy discussions with staff representatives a decision has been made to remove this allowance.
“This decision will save the taxpayer £500,000 and is in line with our mission to deliver a fairer, more efficient and effective organisation.”
The news comes a month on from the Local Government Association's (LGA) warning against plans to remove the ability for councils to fire and rehire staff in the Government's proposed Employment Rights Bill.
The LGA said that removing the approach without a replacement scheme for making contractual changes to terms and conditions would impact councils' ability to implement equality-proofed pay structures or deliver local government reorganisation.
Adam Carey
