Shameful Delaying Tactics
I had a rather sad conversation the other day - which left me feeling quite upset and angry on someone else's behalf.
A woman called me out of the blue - she had just lost her husband who had died suddenly - but he had an outstanding equal pay claim with Action 4 Equality Scotland.
Now the husband's settlement will go to his estate - and will eventually benefit his wife and famliy.
But what made me angry is that the employers have dragged this whole business out for years - quite unecessarily - because the man's equal pay claim could and should have been settled a long time ago.
The claims of non-bonus earning male workers - are just as valid as those of women workers - despite the antics of the employers and the trade unions who for years pretended otherwise.
Many employers have deliberately delayed and prolonged the tribunal process - in a cynical attempt to make people so fed up and frustrated - that they just give in and go away.
The council employers have deep pockets and don't mind spending vast sums of public money - on these deliberate delaying tactics.
But the human cost is paid by people who, quite literally, die along the way - and who never get the chance to enjoy the money due in settlement of their claims - which for some is a life-changing amount.
I only hope that the settlement of this man's claim will be of some consolation to his family - the employers on the other hand should be ashamed of their behaviour.
A woman called me out of the blue - she had just lost her husband who had died suddenly - but he had an outstanding equal pay claim with Action 4 Equality Scotland.
Now the husband's settlement will go to his estate - and will eventually benefit his wife and famliy.
But what made me angry is that the employers have dragged this whole business out for years - quite unecessarily - because the man's equal pay claim could and should have been settled a long time ago.
The claims of non-bonus earning male workers - are just as valid as those of women workers - despite the antics of the employers and the trade unions who for years pretended otherwise.
Many employers have deliberately delayed and prolonged the tribunal process - in a cynical attempt to make people so fed up and frustrated - that they just give in and go away.
The council employers have deep pockets and don't mind spending vast sums of public money - on these deliberate delaying tactics.
But the human cost is paid by people who, quite literally, die along the way - and who never get the chance to enjoy the money due in settlement of their claims - which for some is a life-changing amount.
I only hope that the settlement of this man's claim will be of some consolation to his family - the employers on the other hand should be ashamed of their behaviour.
