Thursday October 29th 2026
Midlothian Council Fairfield House
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Scotland’s council workers face uncertainty over their jobs and working conditions under proposed public service reforms, according to COSLA and local government trade unions.
COSLA and unions UNISON, UNITE and GMB have issued a joint statement calling for meaningful consultation with staff and council employers as the Scottish Government considers changes to local governance.
The organisations said key questions remained unanswered about the future of jobs, the transfer of staff and the potential impact on terms and conditions.
They warned that reform must be based on evidence, improve outcomes for communities and recognise the workforce responsible for delivering essential local services.
The statement said: “Reform must start with outcomes, not structures, and must be underpinned by a strong evidence base and a meaningful engagement process.
“Close involvement of the workforce, recognised trade unions, and local authority employers must be central to this. Change cannot be imposed from the top down, but must be informed by the voices of those who truly understand the realities of delivering local services.”
COSLA and the unions also warned that major changes to local government structures, services and workforces would be complex and require detailed planning over several years, alongside significant resources.
They said any national reorganisation affecting council employees must follow Fair Work principles, including meaningful staff consultation and respect for collective bargaining.
The statement also highlighted longstanding financial pressures on local government, arguing that workforce capacity had not kept pace with growing demand for services.
It said reform must be accompanied by investment to ensure public services remain sustainable and able to meet the needs of communities.
COSLA’s resources spokesperson, Councillor Kelly Parry, said: “Public service reform must be evidence-based and underpinned by meaningful engagement with the Local Government workforce, realism about timescales and the complexities of reform, and the investment required to support the long-term sustainability of services.
“Our joint message as Local Government employers and trade unions is clear and we stand ready to engage constructively with the Scottish Government as equal partners.”
Scotland’s 32 council leaders are due to meet on Friday, October 30, to consider their response to the Scottish Government’s three-month dialogue on the future of local governance and what it means for councils.
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