General Update
As regular readers know, many councils have been doing everything they can - to frustrate and delay the consideration of people's equal pay claims.
By arguing narrow, and ultimately irrelevant, procedural points - many councils have wasted time and tax payers money - instead of dealing with the merits of people's claims.
The good news is that the tribunals have now decided this issue - which became known as the Highland Council point - in favour of the claimants rather than the employers.
The employers argued that claimants had to name specific comparators and jump through other hoops - before their claims could even be considered - but this argument has been rightly thrown out by the tribunals.
So, the way forward is clear - and Fox Cross Solicitors will be asking the tribunals to to set early dates for GMF hearings all of the outstanding cases.
The past six months has seen a significant increase settlements - but the following councils have all been stuck in the mud for one reason or another - so a further effort is being made to move things forward:
Aberdeen City Council
Argyll & Bute
Clackmannanshire
East Dunbartonshire
East Renfrewshire
Highland
Midlothian
Perth & Kinross
South Ayshire
West Lothian
West Dunbartonshire
Councils are also being contacted separately - to see if they are now prepared to discuss new settlement proposals.
Because the experience of recent months suggests that a firm diary date for a GMF hearing - encourages the employers to face up finally to their responsibilities.
By arguing narrow, and ultimately irrelevant, procedural points - many councils have wasted time and tax payers money - instead of dealing with the merits of people's claims.
The good news is that the tribunals have now decided this issue - which became known as the Highland Council point - in favour of the claimants rather than the employers.
The employers argued that claimants had to name specific comparators and jump through other hoops - before their claims could even be considered - but this argument has been rightly thrown out by the tribunals.
So, the way forward is clear - and Fox Cross Solicitors will be asking the tribunals to to set early dates for GMF hearings all of the outstanding cases.
The past six months has seen a significant increase settlements - but the following councils have all been stuck in the mud for one reason or another - so a further effort is being made to move things forward:
Aberdeen City Council
Argyll & Bute
Clackmannanshire
East Dunbartonshire
East Renfrewshire
Highland
Midlothian
Perth & Kinross
South Ayshire
West Lothian
West Dunbartonshire
Councils are also being contacted separately - to see if they are now prepared to discuss new settlement proposals.
Because the experience of recent months suggests that a firm diary date for a GMF hearing - encourages the employers to face up finally to their responsibilities.
