South Lanarkshire Council
150 people attended a packed Action 4 Equality meeting in Blantyre last night (Wednesday 10 October) - to consider ways of turning the heat up on South Lanarkshire Council.
Lots of good ideas came out of the meeting and these will be followed up soon. In the meantime, here are some of the questions and answers raised on the night:
Do employees in South Lanarkshire Council have the same claims as anywhere else?
Yes, because the pay gap between traditional male and female jobs in South Lanarkshire is just as great as it it in Glasgow, Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland.
Do the traditional male jobs in South Lanarkshire still receive bonus payments?
No, but these payments have simply been absorbed into basic salaries - so a refuse worker is paid thousands of pounds a year more than a carer - just like everywhere else
What kind of jobs can bring an equal pay claim?
Home Carers, Cleaners, Catering Assistants, Cooks, Catering Managers, Escorts, Classroom Assistants, Clerical Workers, Residential Care Staff, Nursery Nurses, etc - just about every low paid female dominated job in the council.
If and when we win our settlement from South Lanarkshire Council, will people who have not registered an equal pay claim benefit as well?
No, absolutely not - they won't receive a single penny in back pay - only those who are pursuing an equal pay claim will get the back money they are owed.
Is it too late to register a claim now?
No, people can still pursue a claim with the council - this claim goes back for up to 5 years from the date it is registered and them adds time on going forward until the case is resolved
What happens to my claim if I retire or leave my job?
Your claim freezes at the point your employment ceases, but otherwise continues as normal with all the others.
Can we speak to the press about what's going on in South Lanarkshire?
Yes, but ask them to withhold you name and personal details - to avoid any problems with the council. If they need a quote from a named person, give them Mark Irvine's contact details.
Have we been sold down the river by our trade unions?
Yes, absolutely - the unions have agreed to changes in your jobs which simply continue all the discriminatory pay practices of the past - single status in South Lanarkshire is a joke!
If you have any queries or need an equal pay application form, please contact Action 4 Equality on 0131 667 7956
Lots of good ideas came out of the meeting and these will be followed up soon. In the meantime, here are some of the questions and answers raised on the night:
Do employees in South Lanarkshire Council have the same claims as anywhere else?
Yes, because the pay gap between traditional male and female jobs in South Lanarkshire is just as great as it it in Glasgow, Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland.
Do the traditional male jobs in South Lanarkshire still receive bonus payments?
No, but these payments have simply been absorbed into basic salaries - so a refuse worker is paid thousands of pounds a year more than a carer - just like everywhere else
What kind of jobs can bring an equal pay claim?
Home Carers, Cleaners, Catering Assistants, Cooks, Catering Managers, Escorts, Classroom Assistants, Clerical Workers, Residential Care Staff, Nursery Nurses, etc - just about every low paid female dominated job in the council.
If and when we win our settlement from South Lanarkshire Council, will people who have not registered an equal pay claim benefit as well?
No, absolutely not - they won't receive a single penny in back pay - only those who are pursuing an equal pay claim will get the back money they are owed.
Is it too late to register a claim now?
No, people can still pursue a claim with the council - this claim goes back for up to 5 years from the date it is registered and them adds time on going forward until the case is resolved
What happens to my claim if I retire or leave my job?
Your claim freezes at the point your employment ceases, but otherwise continues as normal with all the others.
Can we speak to the press about what's going on in South Lanarkshire?
Yes, but ask them to withhold you name and personal details - to avoid any problems with the council. If they need a quote from a named person, give them Mark Irvine's contact details.
Have we been sold down the river by our trade unions?
Yes, absolutely - the unions have agreed to changes in your jobs which simply continue all the discriminatory pay practices of the past - single status in South Lanarkshire is a joke!
If you have any queries or need an equal pay application form, please contact Action 4 Equality on 0131 667 7956
