WORKERS battling “fire and rehire” proposals by SNP-led Aberdeen City Council have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action.

Almost 90 per cent of the participants in the GMB Scotland ballot backed industrial action after the council refused to rule out sackings, using the practice to impose a new cost-cutting contract on 3,000 workers.

That contract would cut the full-time working week from 37 to 35 hours and impose a two-year pay freeze, which could take as much as £1,500 a year out of the pockets of front-line workers already struggling with soaring energy and council tax bills.

Despite pressure from opposition councillors and trade unions and the policy being in breach of the Scottish government’s Fair Work agreement — to which the local authority is a signatory — the SNP-led administration has so far refused to intervene.

Sean Robertson, GMB Scotland organiser at Aberdeen City Council, said: “The overwhelming support for strike action is no surprise, given the council’s stubborn refusal to withdraw the threat of fire and rehire.

“Giving staff the choice of accepting a new contract or dismissal is no choice at all.

“It is bullying and intimidation which no decent employer, in the public or private sector, would even consider.

“Our members have voted overwhelmingly to oppose these threats and we would urge councillors and officials to understand the strength of opposition, the possible implications, and think again.”

Aberdeen TUC president Tommy Campbell said: “Clearly, the council leadership and senior management are not listening to the concerns of their staff.

“They always say that their staff are their biggest asset — well, treat them with some respect and back off from this approach.

“We stand against this policy, against these pay cuts, and the workers have the full support of Aberdeen TUC.”

The council was contacted for comment.