The SNP administration in charge of Dundee City Council has been accused of hypocrisy over cuts to staff mileage allowance.
Workers earning more than £20,000 can only claw back 25 pence per mile down from 45 pence per mile prior to the cost-cutting measure.
A council report said this would save £200,000 in each of the next two years. An additional £3,000 per year will be saved by a voluntary cut in mileage allowance for councillors.
The leader of Labour’s councillors claims the SNP’s decision to reduce the rate for some workers is “double standards”.
Councillor Kevin Keenan said: “Less than one year ago, leader of the council Ken Guild, SNP MP Stewart Hosie and SNP MSP Joe Fitzpatrick were collecting signatures in support of action on fairer fuel prices.
“No doubt any city council employees who signed the petition presented by the SNP and who have now seen their mileage allowance cut from the Inland Revenue rate of 45p to 25p a mile will be questioning the SNP and their double standards.
“With all this genuine concern shown from the SNP’s leading lights, why did the SNP council here in Dundee cut the staff mileage allowance?
“Employees of the council have had no wage increase for over two years. Did the SNP councillors take this into account when they set their budget?
“The Labour group considers that this cut will lead to considerable inefficiencies in travel time by people using public transport or walking.
“It is regrettable the SNP administration have decided to break away from nationally-agreed terms and conditions of employment. This is the same administration that has purchased a larger vehicle so more councillors can be chauffeur driven at any one time,” Mr Keenan added.
A union leader involved in negotiations with the council before it reduced mileage rates said she was “appalled” by the move.
Unison branch secretary Margaret McGuire said: “Members are not contractually obligated to use their personal vehicles for the purposes of undertaking service provision.
“We are reminding members of this. We will also make a strong challenge to management who force or pressurise staff to use their own cars under these circumstances. The detrimental effect it will have on service provision is unthinkable.”
Dundee City Council finance convener Willie Sawers defended the move.
He said: “The Labour group did not put up any amendment to the mileage change, so Councillor Keenan’s political attacks are little more than political posturing.
“Only council staff earning over £20,000 will be on the reduced mileage rate. Other staff will remain on the 45p per mile rate. That decision was reached after union representation.”
Mr Sawers said the administration was forced to take “difficult decisions”.
“The SNP council is doing its best to protect lower-paid workers and implementing a living wage of £7.50 per hour for lowest paid staff. We will be implementing a modest pay rise for council staff this year.
“The council is also working hard to find ways to reduce its carbon footprint, reduce costs and… promote electric vehicle use.”
“Councillor Keenan seems to be suggesting that he is in favour of high fuel prices and believes the SNP should not be campaigning for a fair fuel regulator, even though fuel duty in the UK is the highest in the EU.”
Mr Keenan added: “The SNP try to pass the blame for everything to the UK Goverment without shouldering any responsibility for political choices they have and continue to make.”