Nicola Sturgeon has today disagreed with SNP-led West Dunbartonshire Council’s decision to wage war on the trade unions by cutting jobs and conveners’ facility time.

Local MSP Jackie Baillie raised the issue at First Minister’s Questions today, asking Nicola Sturgeon whether she agreed with the budget decision which took place on the same day she met with the STUC to discuss the Fair Work agenda.

In her response, Nicola Sturgeon said that the trade unions had raised this particular issue during her meeting and she refused to endorse SNP controlled West Dunbartonshire Council’s decision. She also said that cutting facility time was a ‘false economy’ and encouraged public and private employers to see the value of facility time.

Jackie said:

“This is hugely embarrassing for Cllr McColl and his administration. The SNP councillors have dug themselves into a hole by defending their anti-trade union policies in the council chamber and on social media but even the First Minister does not agree with their actions.

“The First Minister is right when she says that cutting facility time is a false economy. The trade union conveners in West Dunbartonshire work hard to represent their members and promote positive industrial relations between the Council and its workforce. The SNP-led Council’s recent decision puts these working relationships at risk and it’s time for Cllr McColl to think again