Desperate Times and Desperate Measures
Unison has written to a number of Stefan Cross clients in Midlothian Council – in a desperate effort to persuade them to jump ship - and allow the union’s lawyers (Thompsons Solicitors) to handle their equal pay claims.
Our advice is not to touch this ‘offer’ with a bargepole – because things could get very messy.
Because lawyers and their agents (in this case Unison) are not allowed under The Law of Society Scotland rules to tout for business – by trying to poach clients who already have legal representation in place.
And clearly this is what Unison is doing – so it could all end badly, in tears.
But the real reason for telling Unison to sling its hook - is that the union can’t be trusted when it comes to equal pay.
Why?
1. Because Unison is just a guilty as the employers are – for keeping women workers in the dark for so many years - about bonus payments and the big pay gap with male jobs.
2. Because Unison has encouraged low paid members to accept poor settlement offers from employers – in Glasgow and other councils – and no doubt the union will do so again.
3. Because Unison has given the employers an easy ride for the past 10 years - Midlothian Council is getting away with murder over its plans for a new pay and grading structure (Modernising Midlothian) – what is Unison doing?
Our advice is to decline Unison’s offer of ‘help’ – Unison can’t even get the basic facts right – in their letter to Stefan Cross clients they mention “Stephen Cross” and then “Stephan Cross” twice in the space of two short paragraphs. Barmy as can be!
If that’s the level of detail that ordinary union members can expect from Unison or Thompsons – then God help them. The same nonsense is likely to be going on in other councils as well – so forewarned is forearmed.
So, we say give the ‘Johnny Come Lately’ union hacks short shrift – see post dated 8 February 2009.
Our advice is not to touch this ‘offer’ with a bargepole – because things could get very messy.
Because lawyers and their agents (in this case Unison) are not allowed under The Law of Society Scotland rules to tout for business – by trying to poach clients who already have legal representation in place.
And clearly this is what Unison is doing – so it could all end badly, in tears.
But the real reason for telling Unison to sling its hook - is that the union can’t be trusted when it comes to equal pay.
Why?
1. Because Unison is just a guilty as the employers are – for keeping women workers in the dark for so many years - about bonus payments and the big pay gap with male jobs.
2. Because Unison has encouraged low paid members to accept poor settlement offers from employers – in Glasgow and other councils – and no doubt the union will do so again.
3. Because Unison has given the employers an easy ride for the past 10 years - Midlothian Council is getting away with murder over its plans for a new pay and grading structure (Modernising Midlothian) – what is Unison doing?
Our advice is to decline Unison’s offer of ‘help’ – Unison can’t even get the basic facts right – in their letter to Stefan Cross clients they mention “Stephen Cross” and then “Stephan Cross” twice in the space of two short paragraphs. Barmy as can be!
If that’s the level of detail that ordinary union members can expect from Unison or Thompsons – then God help them. The same nonsense is likely to be going on in other councils as well – so forewarned is forearmed.
So, we say give the ‘Johnny Come Lately’ union hacks short shrift – see post dated 8 February 2009.
