Male Workers in South Lanarkshire Council
Following our recent series of meetings – what’s fast becoming clear is that many male workers in South Lanarkshire Council are getting a raw deal – not just the female workers.
Why?
Because according to many of the men – there are actually two categories of male council worker in South Lanarkshire:
1. Those employed before Single Status was introduced in April 2004
2. Those that joined the council after Single Status in April 2004
What the men say is that the male workers in post before Single Status – had their old bonus related earnings preserved on a personal basis – permanently – and without limit of time.
Now this would explain why two male workers doing exactly the same job – can end up on very different rates of pay.
Or, worse still – why many lower graded male workers get paid more than their higher graded colleagues – simply because they were already working for the council in 2004.
So, in South Lanarkshire – all men are equal - it’s just that some are more equal than others. The council says it is an equal opportunities employer, of course.
Action 4 Equality Scotland and Stefan Cross are challenging South Lanarkshire’s Job Evaluation (JE) scheme and pay and grading structure – because we believe it is unfair and discriminatory.
The challenge is being fought mainly on behalf female workers within the council – but if that challenge is successful, many of the male workers stand to benefit as well.
The truth is that the more favourable treatment of male workers who were in post before 2004 – is a breach of the 1999 Single Status Agreement.
In 1999 the Scottish employers – including South Lanarkshire Council – signed up to an agreement which required one common set of conditions for all staff – not special treatment for those and such as those.
Action 4 Equality Scotland is happy to meet with male workers who find themselves in this position – if you would like to arrange a meeting, phone us on 0845 300 3 800 or drop Mark Irvine an e-mail at: markirvine@compuserve.com
Why?
Because according to many of the men – there are actually two categories of male council worker in South Lanarkshire:
1. Those employed before Single Status was introduced in April 2004
2. Those that joined the council after Single Status in April 2004
What the men say is that the male workers in post before Single Status – had their old bonus related earnings preserved on a personal basis – permanently – and without limit of time.
Now this would explain why two male workers doing exactly the same job – can end up on very different rates of pay.
Or, worse still – why many lower graded male workers get paid more than their higher graded colleagues – simply because they were already working for the council in 2004.
So, in South Lanarkshire – all men are equal - it’s just that some are more equal than others. The council says it is an equal opportunities employer, of course.
Action 4 Equality Scotland and Stefan Cross are challenging South Lanarkshire’s Job Evaluation (JE) scheme and pay and grading structure – because we believe it is unfair and discriminatory.
The challenge is being fought mainly on behalf female workers within the council – but if that challenge is successful, many of the male workers stand to benefit as well.
The truth is that the more favourable treatment of male workers who were in post before 2004 – is a breach of the 1999 Single Status Agreement.
In 1999 the Scottish employers – including South Lanarkshire Council – signed up to an agreement which required one common set of conditions for all staff – not special treatment for those and such as those.
Action 4 Equality Scotland is happy to meet with male workers who find themselves in this position – if you would like to arrange a meeting, phone us on 0845 300 3 800 or drop Mark Irvine an e-mail at: markirvine@compuserve.com
