Nursery staff in North Lanarkshire will go on strike for four days in September over alleged “fire and rehire” plans, a union said.
Unison members have overwhelmingly backed industrial action in the row, with 97% voting for a walkout on a turnout of 77%.
North Lanarkshire Council insists the situation does not meet the criteria of “fire and rehire” as voluntary severance has been offered to affected workers.
Unison said the council is proposing to make early years practitioners on grade 9 redundant or ask them to work at a lower wage rate (grade 7), impacting 375 full-time workers.
The union claims the proposals could mean a pay cut of up to £6,500 for full-time staff, who are predominantly women.
Alternatives offered include voluntary severance, or early retirement on enhanced terms.
The council previously said “redeployment opportunities” are available and “any staff remaining will be subject to multi-year protection of their current salary”.
