Clackmannanshire Council
As reported yesterday, Clackmannanshire Council is inviting employees to attend meetings this Friday 8 October 2010 - to sign away their equal pay claims in return for an offer of compensation.
As usual, the offer letters don't explain how the compensation is calculated - so people don't really know the value of what they are being invited to accept.
Is it a good deal - or a pig in a poke?
Very likely the latter - so people should be very wary of accepting anything - with getting proper advice.
The council says that 'independent' lawyers will be at these meetings - but these lawyers have clearly been chosen by the council - so can they possibly be representing the interests of council employees?
The unions are being invited to give a presentation at these signing meetings - but where are the union lawyers who are supposed to be acting for union members?
The whole business has something very fishy about it - and people are right to be suspicious
Why are these meetings being held at such short notice - why the lack of detail on compensation payments - and why is the council trying to bounce people into a decision at this stage?
So my advice is not to touch these meetings with a bargepole.
As usual, the offer letters don't explain how the compensation is calculated - so people don't really know the value of what they are being invited to accept.
Is it a good deal - or a pig in a poke?
Very likely the latter - so people should be very wary of accepting anything - with getting proper advice.
The council says that 'independent' lawyers will be at these meetings - but these lawyers have clearly been chosen by the council - so can they possibly be representing the interests of council employees?
The unions are being invited to give a presentation at these signing meetings - but where are the union lawyers who are supposed to be acting for union members?
The whole business has something very fishy about it - and people are right to be suspicious
Why are these meetings being held at such short notice - why the lack of detail on compensation payments - and why is the council trying to bounce people into a decision at this stage?
So my advice is not to touch these meetings with a bargepole.
