WORKERS at Aberdeen City Council are to be balloted for industrial action over fire-and-rehire plans that could leave their pay frozen for two years. 

The local authority aims to slash its wage bill by £40 million over the next five years as part of a £183m cuts strategy.

Statutory consultation has already begun with staff as the council plans to tear up their contracts to reduce full-time working hours from 37 to 35 hours but hold their pay static for two years —proposals delivered by chief officers at the authority who enjoyed £19,000 pay rises last year alone.