With less than a fortnight to go until Dundee City Council officially opens its new headquarters to the public, a leading trade unionist warned yesterday he expects teething problems.
However, Rory Malone of Dundee Unison quickly added he is pleased with the approach taken by local authority officials who are inviting staff at the £34 million Dundee House to report any problems they come across in their modern open-plan surroundings.
Mr Malone, whose union represents a number of city council workers, made the comments following a visit to the impressive building found on North Lindsay Street, which is replacing the much-maligned Tayside House.
Last month the first wave of council employees arrived at the new building as part of a floor-by-floor move.
It is understood no major problems have been raised, however glass partitions have become a small issue for Mr Malone who wants signs on them so that employees do not accidentally walk into them.
“There are a few teething problems, but we are encouraged by the employers position of asking employees to raise any issues they have,” said Mr Malone.
“We (the union) went in and raised concerns with the employer including the issue of a lack of signs on the glass and we are due to meet with the employer very shortly regarding this.”
Tayside House, once voted the city’s least loved building, was built in 1970s and is due to be demolished.
The site will be transformed into an open space as part of the multi-million pound redevelopment works linking the city centre and the waterfront.
The new layout for Dundee House means city development is located on five and six, finance on three and four, social work and education on two and housing on the first floor.
Dundee House opens to the public on Monday, August 15, at 8.30am. Customer services will continue to be delivered from Floor 2, Tayside House, until August 12.