North Lanarkshire
A number of newspapers have been in touch to ask for a comment about North Lanarkshire Council - so here's a copy of the statement that's been released - for your information and interest.
"Action 4 Equality Scotland has finally forced North Lanarkshire to face up to its obligations over equal pay, but it was on the eve of a crucial hearing employment tribunal hearing that the council came to its senses.
No doubt its decision was influenced by the quality of the legal team fielded by Fox Cross Solicitors - including Daphne Romney QC one of the leading equal pay barristers in the country.
The result is that we have achieved much better settlements offers than those put forward originally by the council and endorsed by the unions in 2006.
At that time, the council tried to 'buy-out' people's claims with the lowest settlement offers of any council in Scotland, which were particularly poor for vital groups such as Home Carers.
Because the trade unions failed to stand up for the workforce the majority of council employees came to Action 4 Equality Scotland for help in pursing a claim to the Employment Tribunals.
In the latest tribunal proceedings Action 4 Equality Scotland had 1621 claimants while the combined union total came to only 548 - so the workforce essentially voted with its feet.
While the latest round of settlements is a real breakthrough North Lanarkshire is not out of the woods yet. The council needs to face up to the fact that there are many groups (e.g. Classroom Assistants, School Support Workers and various male jobs) still waiting on settlement offers to resolve their claims."
"Action 4 Equality Scotland has finally forced North Lanarkshire to face up to its obligations over equal pay, but it was on the eve of a crucial hearing employment tribunal hearing that the council came to its senses.
No doubt its decision was influenced by the quality of the legal team fielded by Fox Cross Solicitors - including Daphne Romney QC one of the leading equal pay barristers in the country.
The result is that we have achieved much better settlements offers than those put forward originally by the council and endorsed by the unions in 2006.
At that time, the council tried to 'buy-out' people's claims with the lowest settlement offers of any council in Scotland, which were particularly poor for vital groups such as Home Carers.
Because the trade unions failed to stand up for the workforce the majority of council employees came to Action 4 Equality Scotland for help in pursing a claim to the Employment Tribunals.
In the latest tribunal proceedings Action 4 Equality Scotland had 1621 claimants while the combined union total came to only 548 - so the workforce essentially voted with its feet.
While the latest round of settlements is a real breakthrough North Lanarkshire is not out of the woods yet. The council needs to face up to the fact that there are many groups (e.g. Classroom Assistants, School Support Workers and various male jobs) still waiting on settlement offers to resolve their claims."
