MORE than 700 workers at Aberdeen City Council have been balloted for strike action amid growing anger at fire-and-rehire proposals.

The SNP-led local authority plans £183 million in cuts over the next five years, £40m of which it hopes to slash from its wage bill by cutting the full-time working week from 37 to 35 hours and freezing take-home pay for two years — a real-terms cut.

Council bosses, who enjoyed £19,000 in pay rises last year, announced their intention to impose the plans by firing the 3,000-strong council workforce and rehiring them on the new terms. 

Unite has now launched a ballot of its members in administrative, waste, library, janitorial, craft, social work, and housing roles at the council.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: “Aberdeen Council’s incendiary fire-and-rehire plans are disgraceful and must immediately be taken off the table.

“It is a callous attempt to demolish pay and conditions for some of the lowest paid workers in Aberdeen.”

The ballot will close on April 14.

The council was contacted for comment.