24 February 2026

Unions have slated South Ayrshire Council bosses for threatening job losses weeks before councillors vote on budget cuts.

GMB Scotland, one of the biggest unions in the public sector, spoke out after South Ayrshire Council managers told workers to prepare for future redundancies.

Howard Wilkin, GMB organiser at the council, said the council’s actions have caused widespread alarm, flouted all usual procedures for consultation, and risked trust in future negotiations.

He said general warnings of job losses have been alarmist and premature since councillors will not vote on potential budget cuts until a meeting on 5 March.

Wilkin said: “These warnings to our members have come out of the blue without warning, consideration, or understanding of how to deliver such information to staff with clarity and respect.

“It is the opposite of good employment practice and will only cause uncertainty and distrust.

“If the council believes this will somehow soften up workers to ensure redundancies will be accepted more easily, it is going to be disappointed.

“Staff were falsely told unions have been consulted on the threat to jobs but we have received no detailed information nor have we had any substantive discussions.

“To raise the prospect of job cuts without any supporting details or consultation breaches every established protocol to ensure staff are given clear and meaningful information about their roles.

“It was ill-advised and alarmist when councillors are yet to vote on the budget and has caused considerable anxiety to our members while effectively undermining any trust in future negotiations.”

Staff in departments across the council have been warned to expect job cuts after chief financial officer Tim Baulk last week told councillors redundancies would be inevitable to bridge a £8.37m budget gap for 2026-27.

He said half of all council spending was pay-related, and a reduction in the workforce would be necessary to balance the books.

Workers in departments, including IT, have since been told to expect redundancies at meetings while janitors and cleaning were sent an email by Jennifer Rodden, head of facilities management at the council, on 13 February warning of looming budget cuts and job losses.

She wrote: “It is likely that the size, shape and skill base of the workforce that is required will also change, and, by necessity, we will have to reduce our workforce costs.

“To be clear, in order to be open and transparent with all cleaning and janitorial employees, I felt it necessary to write and advise that your current post may be affected if the suggested efficiency proposals for 2026/27 are agreed by elected members.”

ENDS