What's going on?
Here is a quick update on a variety of topical issues - some local, others national in character
Job Evaluation
Employers are now doing what they agreed to do back in 1999 - evaluate all jobs to ensure that they are treated fairly and consistently, and in a way that removes pay discrimination. However, many of them are trying to do this on the cheap or in a way that still favours the traditional, higher earning bonus earning jobs. So, the end result is that many people continue to have equal pay claims for years into the future. If you are affected by a new grading structure, insist that your trade union provides advice and support in relation to local appeals - that's what you are paying your union dues for!
Glasgow City Council - pay and benefits review
Glasgow is trying to bully its workforce into accepting a new set of conditions of service. The package has not been agreed with the trade unions - which shows what a rotten deal it is and why people should be very wary. Our advice is not to sing the new contract. The council will impose the new conditions on those who refuse to sign - so everyone will end up on the same conditions by April. But it is better for the council to impose the deal than for people to accept the new terms voluntarily. This puts you in the strongest possible position in terms of your ongoing equal pay claim. So our advice is - DON'T BE CHEATED BY THE COUNCIL BULLIES!
Fife - single status ballot
Fife Council and the unions put a new pay and grading structure to the workforce in a secret ballot that was conducted before Xmas 2006. People voted by a clear majority to throw the package out, (as did workers in North Lanarkshire) but apparently the council is planning to introduce it anyway - despite the democratic vote. Not surprisingly, there are a lot of people in Fife who are disgusted with the council and with their trade unions - and the union members are beginning to fight back. People's contracts of employment can be changed only with their individual consent or under a collective agreement with the trade unions. In this case, the unions in Fife seem prepared to ignore the views of their own members and side with the employer. No wonder so many union members are suing their own trade union.
Job Evaluation
Employers are now doing what they agreed to do back in 1999 - evaluate all jobs to ensure that they are treated fairly and consistently, and in a way that removes pay discrimination. However, many of them are trying to do this on the cheap or in a way that still favours the traditional, higher earning bonus earning jobs. So, the end result is that many people continue to have equal pay claims for years into the future. If you are affected by a new grading structure, insist that your trade union provides advice and support in relation to local appeals - that's what you are paying your union dues for!
Glasgow City Council - pay and benefits review
Glasgow is trying to bully its workforce into accepting a new set of conditions of service. The package has not been agreed with the trade unions - which shows what a rotten deal it is and why people should be very wary. Our advice is not to sing the new contract. The council will impose the new conditions on those who refuse to sign - so everyone will end up on the same conditions by April. But it is better for the council to impose the deal than for people to accept the new terms voluntarily. This puts you in the strongest possible position in terms of your ongoing equal pay claim. So our advice is - DON'T BE CHEATED BY THE COUNCIL BULLIES!
Fife - single status ballot
Fife Council and the unions put a new pay and grading structure to the workforce in a secret ballot that was conducted before Xmas 2006. People voted by a clear majority to throw the package out, (as did workers in North Lanarkshire) but apparently the council is planning to introduce it anyway - despite the democratic vote. Not surprisingly, there are a lot of people in Fife who are disgusted with the council and with their trade unions - and the union members are beginning to fight back. People's contracts of employment can be changed only with their individual consent or under a collective agreement with the trade unions. In this case, the unions in Fife seem prepared to ignore the views of their own members and side with the employer. No wonder so many union members are suing their own trade union.
Admin & Clerical workers
The employers and the unions are keen to keep people in the dark about their rights to equal pay. Admin & Clerical workers are one of the biggest neglected groups - but have very strong claims. These jobs have been undervalued and underpaid for years because they are traditionally done by women. A skilled clerical worker is paid thousands of pounds less than a unskilled male worker. For example, a council refuse driver is paid @ £20,000 a year (on full-time hours) while many Admin & Clerical jobs are paid around £15,000 or less - and that wages of the male workers are to be protected for years into the future.
