General Update - All Councils
Readers are regularly in touch asking for an update of what's happening in their own local area.
Generally speaking, all the news there is to report is already up on the blog site - and there's little more to relate in a separate e-mail.
People are understandably frustrated that some employers have dragged their feet for so long.
And there is genuine anger that some employers have engaged in deliberate delaying tactics - registering pointless appeals, using public money - to slow down the tribunal process.
The current position across all councils is that we are pressing for GMF (Genuine Material Factor) or ‘defence’ hearings - to be held as soon as possible.
A GMF hearing requires the council to explain and try to justify the big differences in pay - between traditional male and female jobs.
Councils are no longer trying that these differences exist – the pay gap is now accepted as a matter of fact.
Over recent months GMF hearings have got underway with Glasgow, Fife and North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire Councils – further GMF dates are also in the process of being set for Edinburgh and North Lanarkshire Councils.
The significance of these GMF hearings is that the employers cannot frustrate and delay the process any longer – finally they have to stand up and justify their discriminatory actions.
On the back of a successful GMF hearing in Glasgow - Glasgow City Council is now putting forward new settlement proposals to over 4,000 Action 4 Equality Scotland and Stefan Cross claimants.
And, of course, the employers talk to one another - what happens in one council has implications for the rest - particularly if there's a major development.
We are doing everything we can to achieve a similar outcome in all other councils - where equal pay claims are still outstanding.
Generally speaking, all the news there is to report is already up on the blog site - and there's little more to relate in a separate e-mail.
People are understandably frustrated that some employers have dragged their feet for so long.
And there is genuine anger that some employers have engaged in deliberate delaying tactics - registering pointless appeals, using public money - to slow down the tribunal process.
The current position across all councils is that we are pressing for GMF (Genuine Material Factor) or ‘defence’ hearings - to be held as soon as possible.
A GMF hearing requires the council to explain and try to justify the big differences in pay - between traditional male and female jobs.
Councils are no longer trying that these differences exist – the pay gap is now accepted as a matter of fact.
Over recent months GMF hearings have got underway with Glasgow, Fife and North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire Councils – further GMF dates are also in the process of being set for Edinburgh and North Lanarkshire Councils.
The significance of these GMF hearings is that the employers cannot frustrate and delay the process any longer – finally they have to stand up and justify their discriminatory actions.
On the back of a successful GMF hearing in Glasgow - Glasgow City Council is now putting forward new settlement proposals to over 4,000 Action 4 Equality Scotland and Stefan Cross claimants.
And, of course, the employers talk to one another - what happens in one council has implications for the rest - particularly if there's a major development.
We are doing everything we can to achieve a similar outcome in all other councils - where equal pay claims are still outstanding.
