Union chiefs have urged members to take to the streets in protest against a new package of voluntary redundancy and early retirement schemes being proposed by Dundee City Council.
Councillors on the policy and resources committee are due to consider the measures next week.
A report to members says executive directors will be asked to identify individuals who might be eligible and interested as the authority continues to “embrace digital technologies”.
GMB Dundee said the council was looking to encourage redundancies and described it as an attack on worker’s conditions.
Bosses are encouraging members to join a Dundee Against Cuts demonstration on February 16, and to turn out in force at the council meeting on February 18 to “make your voices heard”.
GMB Scotland organiser Helen Meldrum said: “It looks like they will be strongly encouraging people to go into early retirement.
“They are cutting front line services. If they push ahead with this, we will be consulting our members about industrial action.
“Last year we were being told austerity is over, but here we are again facing cuts.”
GMB is particularly concerned about proposed changes to the flexible retirement policy, which currently has no end date. The suggested alterations include a two-year cap, after which the council and staff member would discuss whether to carry it on for another two years.
Ms Meldrum called on council leader John Alexander to prove his priority is Dundee by getting on the phone to his SNP colleagues in the Scottish Government and asking for more money for the city’s budget settlement.
Mr Alexander insisted there was no redundancy policy and that the authority was simply trying to be flexible.
And he said he and three opposition leaders delivered a letter to Holryood and Westminster on January 22, calling on the governments to “work with colleagues… to deliver a better settlement for local government”.
Mr Alexander said: “My approach is always to be inclusive where possible and pragmatic throughout.
“I genuinely value the contribution that each and every employee of Dundee City Council makes and hope to continue to work with the trade unions to protect services and employees. This report should be seen against this backdrop.
“Redundancy will remain a last resort.”
