Glasgow cleansing workers are threatening to go on strike due to a "disrespectful" treatment amid a proposal to relocate them.
GMB members of the council service gathered today in front of the St Rollox depot in Royston to take a ballot on whether they would take industrial action if it came down to it.
They unanimously agreed to swing into action if council chiefs refuse to engage with them about their plan to move around 40 workers to a Dalmarnock depot.
John Slaven, GMB organiser, said: “It makes absolutely no sense to move workers to a new base across the city and then expect them to move back to carry out their work.
“There has been far too little consultation with the staff affected and no consideration at all. Workers cannot simply be moved about like pawns on a chessboard."
He then addressed the group: "This is a continuation of the shabby, crappy way you have been treated at Christmas.
"You are getting treated like cattle, like second-class citizens.
"The council is using a crappy policy to move you and you are getting treated with disrespect."
Workers say having to travel to the East End and back to work would be counterproductive and affect their productivity negatively.
Members are calling on Glasgow City Council chiefs to meet with representatives and talk to them about the potential relocation and include them in decision-making.
They insist this would be the way any white-collar workers would be treated.
Mr Slaven continued: "When they move people, they should be consulting with the trade union.
"They should also be coming to see if they have individual issues about that move. They have done none of that.
"It's disrespectful."
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However, the local authority insists that consultation on the "depot review" has been ongoing since 2022 and members of staff have been regularly consulted.
The union further claims their current workplace on Charles Street is in great condition.
Chris Mitchell, GMB cleansing convener, added: "There is nothing wrong with that depot, it's pristine.
"We provide statutory services for the people in the north of the city.
"This has been ongoing for a few weeks now and this is not the first time this has happened.
"It's not on anymore.
"With other depots, we did this standing shoulder to shoulder and we will do it again.
"If we don't fight, we're never going to know if we would win this dispute. Let's put a shot right across their bow."
Council chiefs say the planned relocation will help to improve staff conditions, target investment and extend the life of existing facilities
The council spokesperson said: “Depots have until now provided a base for a mix of frontline services, but ensuring refuse collection, street cleansing and parks services have their own separate facilities will help us to manage these services more effectively and responsively.
“This approach will also help to eliminate many unnecessary trips between depots and provide better value for money for council tax payers.
“Our approach to depot renewal has already helped to generate a substantial funding package for the full renovation of our Easter Queenslie depot, where a new recycling centre will be built alongside fully modernised staff facilities.
“GMB has notified the council of their intention to hold a consultative ballot on changes to depot arrangements. The results of a consultative ballot are not legally binding.”
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