A TRADE union representing West Dunbartonshire Council staff has warned that it will resist any move towards compulsory home working for employees after the pandemic.

The warning from UNISON comes after plans to spend £1.8 million on technology and equipment to enable the local authority’s staff to continue working from home after Covid-19 has been brought under control were discussed by councillors last week.

The authority’s corporate service committee heard that council officials are in talks with trade unions over the development of plans for greater home working.

But following the meeting a UNISON spokesperson told the Reporter: “UNISON have seen an early draft of proposals around extended home working.

"This is no substitute for the full and meaningful consultation that will be required before any changes.

“Whilst home working suits some workers, for others it is causing real issues due to a host of issues such as inappropriate space, facilities and environment not to mention the isolation aspects.

“UNISON is clear that any expansion of home working must be on a voluntary basis, include the option to revert to an office base if it doesn’t suit or circumstances change and be accompanied by a home working allowance to compensate for the additional costs.

“There is much more that needs to be discussed around these issues and progress will only be made if staff and their unions are taken with them.

“There are wider issues around the viability of our high streets and communities if many workers are at home permanently.

“These issues need driven by what is best for workers, services and communities – not by a council wanting to make quick savings due to the continuing Tory and SNP cuts to local government.”

Patricia Kerr, manager of ICT, told last week’s committee meeting: “We have been looking at contracts.

"Home broadband might be included in one of the contracts.

“We have already made some changes in terms of device upgrades.

"We’ve done a few technical changes to try and change that approach.”

Labour councillor Martin Rooney asked how well prepared the council workers were to continue home learning.

He added: “Because of our investment in IT, we seem well prepared to move to home working.

“There seems to be additional opportunity to change the way we work in the future.

"Will we have the flexibility to adjust to these opportunities?”

Ms Kerr responded: “The investment the council has made has stood us in good stead [to work from home].

“Our task last summer was to get everybody up to speed and getting out more devices.

"It’s not without its challenges, including broadband connections.

“The investment we are making is in new technology and replacing end of life equipment.

"We feel we are in a good place.”