Which Side Are They On?
Here are two recent posts about Unison in South Lanarkshire - where for years the union has been supporting the council and its senior managers - in the ongoing dispute over equal pay.
Unison now appears to be singing a different tune - presumably because the union is rightly worried - about the quality of advice issued previously to members.
But as everyone knows - you can't face in two opposite directions at the same time.
The union can't be standing up for its members in South Lanarkshire - while Unison officials continue to support the actions of the council and senior council managers.
Don't Get Mad - Get Even
As regular readers know - after years of being in denial - Unison has suddenly decided that some of its members in South Lanarkshire - might have an equal pay claim after all.
See previous post dated 16 November 2010 - Unison in Turmoil.
Sounds a little odd to me - especially as South Lanarkshire Council claims that Unison has been at the heart of local negotiations over single status - since 1999.
But set that aside for a minute and consider what Unison is actually saying - to its members in South Lanarkshire:
'We recently commissioned an assessment of the scope for equal pay claims in South Lanarkshire - and we believe that as in other areas there may be some potential for some members being able to pursue equal pay claims'.
Now Unison members who have loyally followed the union's advice - by doing nothing about equal pay for all these years - should be asking Unison some pointed questions:
1 When was this 'assessment' carried out?
2 Who did the 'assessment' - and what are its key conclusions?
3 How do I get a copy of the 'assessment' so I can see for myself what it ?
4 What is Unison going to do about the 5 years I've wasted - by following the union's advice not to lodge an equal pay claim - up until now?
5 Does Unison intend to compensate me for the money I've lost - which runs potentially thousands of pounds?
If you're one of the many members let down by Unison in South Lanarkshire - contact Mark Irvine and Action 4 Equality Scotland for advice - 0131 652 7366 or markirvine@compuserve.com
Unison in Turmoil
Unison is in complete turmoil in South Lanarkshire - as the union finally admits that it might have got it wrong all along - over equal pay.
The credibility of the union is now in tatters - as officials concede that they may well have given poor advice for the past five years and more - against the interests of their own members.
The union is writing to all members in South Lanarkshire - with a weasel-worded message to say that - 'some members' may have a valid equal pay claim after all.
As regular readers know - this comes after many years of the unions betraying the interests of their own low paid members - by doing deals with the council that benefited the better-off.
Unison in South Lanarkshire - according to reliable local sources - has been actively discouraging members from pursuing claims up until now.
And the Unison members who followed this advice have lost out - because their claims should have been registered years ago.
The reality is that while Action 4 Equality Scotland has spent the last five years fighting for equal pay council employees in South Lanarkshire - Unison has been sitting on its backside.
Contrast that with Action 4 Equality Scotland clients who have had had 18 days in the employment tribunal over the past year - with a further round of hearings already planned in the New Year.
Union reps and union legal advisers have been sitting in on the Action 4 Equality Scotland case - keeping a watching brief - but still the unions have taken no action.
So Unison is really shooting itself in the foot - because their advice to members looks woeful and downright shocking - in the cold light of day.
The union appears to have no shame as it tries desperately to change its tune - after years of delay and being in cahoots with the employer.
Members who have been let down in this way should consider holding Unison to account - by seeking compensation for their financial loss - which may well be substantial.
If you are one of the members let down by Unison - contact Action 4 Equality Scotland for advice - send your details to markirvine@compuserve.com or ring the Edinburgh office on 0131 652 7366.
You may well be able to hold Unison to account for any losses you have suffered up until now - which may run to thousands of pounds - due to loss of opportunity and the union's poor advice.
And the good news is that you can hold Unison to account - at the same time as pursuing an equal pay claim against South Lanarkshire Council.
Unison now appears to be singing a different tune - presumably because the union is rightly worried - about the quality of advice issued previously to members.
But as everyone knows - you can't face in two opposite directions at the same time.
The union can't be standing up for its members in South Lanarkshire - while Unison officials continue to support the actions of the council and senior council managers.
Don't Get Mad - Get Even
As regular readers know - after years of being in denial - Unison has suddenly decided that some of its members in South Lanarkshire - might have an equal pay claim after all.
See previous post dated 16 November 2010 - Unison in Turmoil.
Sounds a little odd to me - especially as South Lanarkshire Council claims that Unison has been at the heart of local negotiations over single status - since 1999.
But set that aside for a minute and consider what Unison is actually saying - to its members in South Lanarkshire:
'We recently commissioned an assessment of the scope for equal pay claims in South Lanarkshire - and we believe that as in other areas there may be some potential for some members being able to pursue equal pay claims'.
Now Unison members who have loyally followed the union's advice - by doing nothing about equal pay for all these years - should be asking Unison some pointed questions:
1 When was this 'assessment' carried out?
2 Who did the 'assessment' - and what are its key conclusions?
3 How do I get a copy of the 'assessment' so I can see for myself what it ?
4 What is Unison going to do about the 5 years I've wasted - by following the union's advice not to lodge an equal pay claim - up until now?
5 Does Unison intend to compensate me for the money I've lost - which runs potentially thousands of pounds?
If you're one of the many members let down by Unison in South Lanarkshire - contact Mark Irvine and Action 4 Equality Scotland for advice - 0131 652 7366 or markirvine@compuserve.com
Unison in Turmoil
Unison is in complete turmoil in South Lanarkshire - as the union finally admits that it might have got it wrong all along - over equal pay.
The credibility of the union is now in tatters - as officials concede that they may well have given poor advice for the past five years and more - against the interests of their own members.
The union is writing to all members in South Lanarkshire - with a weasel-worded message to say that - 'some members' may have a valid equal pay claim after all.
As regular readers know - this comes after many years of the unions betraying the interests of their own low paid members - by doing deals with the council that benefited the better-off.
Unison in South Lanarkshire - according to reliable local sources - has been actively discouraging members from pursuing claims up until now.
And the Unison members who followed this advice have lost out - because their claims should have been registered years ago.
The reality is that while Action 4 Equality Scotland has spent the last five years fighting for equal pay council employees in South Lanarkshire - Unison has been sitting on its backside.
Contrast that with Action 4 Equality Scotland clients who have had had 18 days in the employment tribunal over the past year - with a further round of hearings already planned in the New Year.
Union reps and union legal advisers have been sitting in on the Action 4 Equality Scotland case - keeping a watching brief - but still the unions have taken no action.
So Unison is really shooting itself in the foot - because their advice to members looks woeful and downright shocking - in the cold light of day.
The union appears to have no shame as it tries desperately to change its tune - after years of delay and being in cahoots with the employer.
Members who have been let down in this way should consider holding Unison to account - by seeking compensation for their financial loss - which may well be substantial.
If you are one of the members let down by Unison - contact Action 4 Equality Scotland for advice - send your details to markirvine@compuserve.com or ring the Edinburgh office on 0131 652 7366.
You may well be able to hold Unison to account for any losses you have suffered up until now - which may run to thousands of pounds - due to loss of opportunity and the union's poor advice.
And the good news is that you can hold Unison to account - at the same time as pursuing an equal pay claim against South Lanarkshire Council.
