Trade union threatens Renfrewshire Council with legal action over strike row

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Renfrewshire Council could face a legal challenge over claims it threatened to remove workers from duties after they voted to go on strike.Unite the union has confirmed it is “vigorously exploring” all legal avenues which, if successful, could force a substantial amount of compensation to the workers.The row could also cause chaos at the upcoming council elections on May 5.Members of the Unite union working at Renfrewshire Council rejected a pay offer from the local authority.Tradespersons and apprentices working in Building Services, who are covered by the local authority craft agreement at Renfrewshire Council, then voted unanimously to back strike action.When notified of the intention to strike by Unite’s members, the local authority’s management served notice that all craft workers would be removed from working during the forthcoming local government elections.Unite’s members are normally responsible for setting up and dismantling the polling stations and were also due to deliver the ballot boxes to the count.Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire.

Sign up to our newsletters here.James O’Connell, Unite industrial officer who is representing the Renfrewshire Council workers, said: “Unite’s members have unanimously backed a mandate for strike action.“There is growing anger over how our tradespersons and apprentices working within Building Services are being treated.

Renfrewshire Council’s decision to remove our members from performing their duties during the election will backfire on them.“This ill-thought-out move could potentially cause chaos at the May 5 election and cost the council more in compensation than it would have taken to settle this dispute.”According to Unite, the council’s move could