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Trade unions throughout Scotland have pledged to fight the proposed transfer of council owned housing stock to independent groups, the Scottish Trades Union Congress and Unison announced, writes Reg McKay.

In a joint press conference with the largest local government union, Unison, Bill Speirs, general secretary of the STUC, said: "The STUC has voted unanimously to oppose the transfer of housing stock. We will work hard with tenants groups to inform people fully of all the implications, and will stand alongside them in opposing the government’s plans."

According to the unions, transfer of housing stock will result in increased rents, more people on housing benefit, less houses and poorer quality services for the more vulnerable like homeless people. Malcolm Wing, national secretary of Unison’s local government group, said: "We can see from experience in England that private sector lenders are forcing mergers and take-overs onto local community-based housing associations. This leads to further removal of housing from local control."

The unions questioned "the one sided propaganda campaign" in informing Glasgow tenants of the positives of stock transfer while failing to advise them of the negatives. Speirs said: "How much public money have the Scottish executive, Glasgow Housing Association and Glasgow Council spent on their publicity campaign geared to convince tenants to vote in favour of transfer? In a similar situation in Birmingham the figure was £13 million."

The unions announcement came the day after the Treasury advised that it was willing to pay off the housing debts of several Scottish councils, including Glasgow Council which owes £900 million with annual interest fees of £50 million, but only if they agreed to transfer the housing stock.

Wing accused the government of blackmail and said: "What sort of ballot of tenants is that? Vote yes and we will give you resources – vote no and you get nothing. You can hardly blame tenants for voting for what they see as short-term benefits. Why don’t the government pay off housing debt with no conditions attached?"

Colin Meech, policy officer with Unison, estimated that 30,000 of Glasgow’s 81,000 houses will be demolished. Meech added: "Considering Glasgow’s repair bill of £1.2 billion pounds and the number of tenants being almost halved, rents will inevitably rise catching more and more people on housing benefit."

The unions say that the experience in England has indicated reduced services for homeless people. Meech said: "The responsibility for homelessness will stay with local authorities who are then obliged to purchase accommodation from housing services. Experience so far indicates this does not work, with Shelter’s research showing that where stock has been transferred almost half of homeless people have received fewer services and of poorer quality."

Tenants in Glasgow are due to vote on the proposed transfer of housing stock in November. Speirs said: "We hope that no ballot will take place. If it does we will fight alongside local people and tenants groups to prevent the wholesale transfer of housing from local government."