A LABOUR council in West Yorkshire has threatened to use the widely condemned “fire-and-rehire” tactic to end a dispute with employees, their union said today.

GMB has declared a formal dispute with Calderdale Council over changes to working practices for community protection workers.

The role is a part of a partnership project with police, the probation service and other bodies.

The workers plan to lobby a meeting of the council at Halifax town hall tomorrow.

In a statement, the union said: “GMB has lodged a formal dispute with Calderdale Council after HR [the human resources department] announced they intended to ‘fire and rehire’ members of the community protection team if an agreement can’t be reached on achieving change to working patterns.”

The union is preparing to ballot for industrial action.

GMB also accused the council of refusing to negotiate a new agreement on time allowed for union work and union recognition.

The council was invited to comment.