RIVER Clyde Homes is facing bullying accusations amid claims it threatened to 'fire and rehire' staff unless they accept losing hundreds of thousands of pounds due to changes to their pension schemes.

Stunned employees who remain in the Strathclyde Pension Scheme - which is a legacy from the housing stock transfer from the local authority - received a letter from the social housing bosses warning of the consequences.

Trade unions have been locked in talks with River Clyde Homes over its decision to try to pull remaining members of staff out of the scheme, which RCH says it can no longer afford.

River Clyde Homes  (Image: George Munro) But having knocked back the latest offer union representatives are calling for tough action on River Clyde Home if they go through with the threat.

Now Councillor Colin Jackson, who has come out fighting for the workers and trade unions, has strongly criticised RCH which previously signed up to a charter condemning the practice of 'firing and rehiring'.

Councillor Colin Jackson (Image: George Munro) The furious councillor said: "I fully support the position taken by the trade unions and the workers they represent.

"RCH putting fire and rehire on the table during negotiations is nothing more than an open threat to workers and an attempt to bully them.

"This is completely unacceptable and should be condemned by local politicians and every organisation that have any dealings with them.  

"Moving these workers onto RCH's preferred pension scheme on retirement will reduce workers pensions by hundreds of thousands of pounds."

The Tele reported earlier in July this year the River Clyde Homes wanted to pull staff out of the Strathclyde Pension Scheme and move them onto a less lucrative local authority pensions scheme.

READ MORE: River Clyde Homes comes under fire over pension fund

Following the decision by staff affected to knock back a revised offer, River Clyde Homes wrote to the employees - around 30 to 40 - telling them that if they didn't accept the latest revised offer they could face 'fire and rehire'.

It said: "One of the options that might be available to us, if agreement to the proposed changes cannot be reached following a further 60 day period of consultation, is to give notice to terminate your current employment contract and offer re-engagement on a new employment contract that incorporates the changes set out in this letter."

This sparked a furious response from both Unison and Unite, which called out River Clyde Homes for previously signing up to the Fair Work First charter with the trade unions.

In the charter, Inverclyde's largest social housing provider promised to work with trade unions to oppose the use of fire and rehire practice and instead work towards an agreed outcome.

In response, trade unions have called for elected members to show their support for the RCH workers by taking tough actions and condemn the social housing providers.

Backing the calls Councillor Jackson said: "They need to halt this immediately and get back around the negotiating table with the trade unions and reaffirm their commitment to the fair work practices they signed up to."

River Clyde Homes previously that they cannot afford to continue with the more lucrative Strathclyde Pension Scheme.

Responding to the latest developments, a spokesperson for RCH said: "River Clyde Homes is a registered charity that provides essential services to around 8,000 tenants and residents across Inverclyde.

"Our responsibility is to ensure value for money for our customers by maintaining affordable rents while safeguarding the long-term sustainability of the organisation.

"Pension arrangements have a significant financial implication and, like many other organisations, we have had to review what is viable going forward.

"We are involved in an ongoing consultation process about possible alternatives to affected employees being members of the Local Government Pension Scheme and remain committed to open and constructive dialogue throughout this process."