Unions have attacked the Scottish Government after a minister signalled an end to the no compulsory redundancy policy for public sector workers.
Ivan McKee appeared to perform a U-turn on the SNP’s long-standing commitment during an appearance at Holyrood’s Public Service Reform Committee, although he repeatedly insisted the policy remains in place.
The Scottish Trades Union Congress warned the comments could sour relations with unions.
General secretary Roz Foyer has written to the Public Service Reform Secretary, urging him to clarify his comments and warning they would prompt alarm among workers.
She said: “This intervention from the Cabinet Secretary is either a confused mistake or, worse still, a worrying sign of intent to come.
“Trade unions have engaged with the Scottish Government’s public service reform agenda in good faith. That will simply not last if the Cabinet Secretary and the First Minister are at odds over the direction of their own approach to reform.
“These are workers’ livelihoods on the line – they deserve much better than mixed messages from government.
“We need clarity, transparency, but above all else the clear, unequivocal commitment from the Scottish Government to the no compulsory redundancies policy they guaranteed Scotland’s workers.”
Speaking to the committee, Mr McKee said public bodies “had driven headcount reductions and have worked through the no compulsory redundancy policy to its conclusion”, citing Visit Scotland as an example, before adding: “So, we end up in a situation where there clearly is no role for someone for reasons, and every other avenue has been exhausted. Then there’s a process in place for that. ”
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser interjected: “When you say there’s a process in place, what are you talking about? You’re talking about compulsory redundancy as an endpoint.”
The minister replied “yes” and said there was a “very extensive policy that sits before this”, before insisting “there is a no compulsory redundancy policy”.
Mr Fraser replied: “But you’ve just said there is a compulsory redundancy in certain circumstances.”
Mr McKee then told the MSP “policy works through all the available options extensively to prevent that happening as best as can be”.
First Minister John Swinney has promised public service reform as he battles with a projected near £5 billion financial blackhole by the end of the decade.
He has proposed slashing the number of health boards down to two and shrinking the number of councils to around six regional authorities, along with up to 160 community authorities.
The Government is also trying to decrease the size of the public sector workforce, which has grown in recent years, with wages making up the biggest bill for the Scottish budget.
The First Minister told the Press Association in early September there would be no compulsory redundancies as a result of his reforms.