North Lanarkshire Update
North Lanarkshire's claims continue to work through the employment tribunal process – there has been an interim settlement of the claims for some groups of ‘manual workers’ (cleaning and catering workers) – but the fight goes on for others such as Home Carers.
An important appeal hearing for the Home Carers is taking place on 1 September 2009 – and the case in North Lanarkshire is similar to what has been going on in Falkirk – see previous post dated 14 May 2009.
Again in 2008, North Lanarkshire argued that equal pay claims from Home Carers should be treated differently – the council said that the claims of the Home Carers should not be treated the same way as other ‘manual worker’ groups because of an internal reorganisation back in 1999.
But the 1999 reorganisation did not evaluate jobs properly – Home Carers jobs were not re-assessed under the national job evaluation (JE) scheme – all that happened was that the old pay rates changed, and by not very much at that!
What’s worse is that this was all done under the noses of the trade unions – which has left many of the Home Carers feeling completely betrayed - by the people who were supposed to be looking after their interests.
Action 4 Equality Scotland and Stefan Cross Solicitors refused to accept ‘second class’ treatment for the North Lanarkshire Home Carers – our view is that these claims should be dealt with in exactly the same way as other ‘manual worker’ groups.
The employment tribunal agreed with the case put forward by Stefan Cross Solicitors and rejected this council’s argument, but the council appealed - wasting public money, in our opinion - to delay and frustrate what we believe to be perfectly valid claims.
You would think that in this Labour run council, some local politicians would stand up and be counted. After all, what kind of way is this to treat a highly dedicated group of workers – who have served their local community for years?
The North Lanarkshire case may be affected by the outcome of the earlier Falkirk Council case which is due to be heard on 19 June 2009.
Let’s hope so – because the treatment of the Home Carers is a disgrace – as is the delay in dealing with the outstanding claims of other groups.
An important appeal hearing for the Home Carers is taking place on 1 September 2009 – and the case in North Lanarkshire is similar to what has been going on in Falkirk – see previous post dated 14 May 2009.
Again in 2008, North Lanarkshire argued that equal pay claims from Home Carers should be treated differently – the council said that the claims of the Home Carers should not be treated the same way as other ‘manual worker’ groups because of an internal reorganisation back in 1999.
But the 1999 reorganisation did not evaluate jobs properly – Home Carers jobs were not re-assessed under the national job evaluation (JE) scheme – all that happened was that the old pay rates changed, and by not very much at that!
What’s worse is that this was all done under the noses of the trade unions – which has left many of the Home Carers feeling completely betrayed - by the people who were supposed to be looking after their interests.
Action 4 Equality Scotland and Stefan Cross Solicitors refused to accept ‘second class’ treatment for the North Lanarkshire Home Carers – our view is that these claims should be dealt with in exactly the same way as other ‘manual worker’ groups.
The employment tribunal agreed with the case put forward by Stefan Cross Solicitors and rejected this council’s argument, but the council appealed - wasting public money, in our opinion - to delay and frustrate what we believe to be perfectly valid claims.
You would think that in this Labour run council, some local politicians would stand up and be counted. After all, what kind of way is this to treat a highly dedicated group of workers – who have served their local community for years?
The North Lanarkshire case may be affected by the outcome of the earlier Falkirk Council case which is due to be heard on 19 June 2009.
Let’s hope so – because the treatment of the Home Carers is a disgrace – as is the delay in dealing with the outstanding claims of other groups.
