Bermuda Triangles and Equal Pay
Word from the front line in the fight for equal pay – Johnny Comes Lately (Unison) has lost his way and has failed to report for duty in South Lanarkshire.
Seems that Unison’s belated enthusiasm for equal pay has just disappeared – to the south and east of Glasgow - into some kind of nasty Bermuda Triangle.
Because according to readers in Hamilton, East Kilbride, Rutherglen, Blantyre, Cambuslang and elsewhere – Unison members in South Lanarkshire have not received a letter from their regional secretary, Matt Smith (see post dated 8 February 2009).
Now this is very strange – incredible even!
Is Unison really saying that all is rosy in South Lanarkshire when it comes to equal pay? If so, the union will have a great deal of explaining to do to its women members.
Is Unison really arguing that it’s fine by them for a Home Carer in South Lanarkshire to be paid between Spinal Column Points 10 to 16 – or £5.71 to £7.27 an hour?
Yet male refuse workers, gardeners and gravediggers get paid up to Spinal Column Point – or £8.69 per hour.
Is Unison really saying that it’s OK for a School Secretary or Classroom Assistant to be paid between Spinal Column Points 1 to 25 – or £5.71 to £8.31 an hour?
Whereas a School Janitor gets paid up to Spinal Column Point 33 – or £9.37 an hour.
Does Unison really support a highly trained and skilled Nursery Nurse being paid at only Spinal Column Point 40 – or £10.39 an hour?
While a male plumber or electrician is paid up to Spinal Column Point 64 – or £14.86 an hour.
If so, then Unison really has lost its marbles – and union members in South Lanarkshire should be up in arms.
If you need advice about equal pay ring Action 4 Equality Scotland on 0845 300 3 800 or e-mail Mark Irvine at: markirvine@compuserve.com
NB – all pay rates quoted are at 2007/08 levels
Seems that Unison’s belated enthusiasm for equal pay has just disappeared – to the south and east of Glasgow - into some kind of nasty Bermuda Triangle.
Because according to readers in Hamilton, East Kilbride, Rutherglen, Blantyre, Cambuslang and elsewhere – Unison members in South Lanarkshire have not received a letter from their regional secretary, Matt Smith (see post dated 8 February 2009).
Now this is very strange – incredible even!
Is Unison really saying that all is rosy in South Lanarkshire when it comes to equal pay? If so, the union will have a great deal of explaining to do to its women members.
Is Unison really arguing that it’s fine by them for a Home Carer in South Lanarkshire to be paid between Spinal Column Points 10 to 16 – or £5.71 to £7.27 an hour?
Yet male refuse workers, gardeners and gravediggers get paid up to Spinal Column Point – or £8.69 per hour.
Is Unison really saying that it’s OK for a School Secretary or Classroom Assistant to be paid between Spinal Column Points 1 to 25 – or £5.71 to £8.31 an hour?
Whereas a School Janitor gets paid up to Spinal Column Point 33 – or £9.37 an hour.
Does Unison really support a highly trained and skilled Nursery Nurse being paid at only Spinal Column Point 40 – or £10.39 an hour?
While a male plumber or electrician is paid up to Spinal Column Point 64 – or £14.86 an hour.
If so, then Unison really has lost its marbles – and union members in South Lanarkshire should be up in arms.
If you need advice about equal pay ring Action 4 Equality Scotland on 0845 300 3 800 or e-mail Mark Irvine at: markirvine@compuserve.com
NB – all pay rates quoted are at 2007/08 levels
