South Lanarkshire
Here's another 'reader's letter' which has been sent to me - about the ongoing fight for equal pay in South Lanarkshire.
The person who is speaking up for low-paid women workers is quite right - equal pay and the introduction of a 'living wage' are two completely different things.
A 'living wage' of £7.15 an hour does not bring about equal pay with traditional male jobs - that are earning £10.00 and £11.00 an hour.
Nor does it compensate women workers for all the years - when the big pay gap between male and female jobs has been allowed to continue - with the blessing of the employers and the trade unions - of course.
EQUAL PAY GETS MY SUPPORT
"I'm writing in relation to the ongoing equal pay saga by employees of South Lanarkshire Council.
As an outsider reading about the case , I can appreciate where low-paid female staff are coming from and the struggle they must have had with the council and their trade union.
In last week's letters page Stephen Smellie's response to what had been said in previous editions of the advertiser. He said in difficult times this year UNISON successfully lobbied for the introduction of a living wage in the council which saw thousands of low-paid, mostly women workers gain a pay rise when pay freezes are the norm. Perhaps a little credit where it is due is called for.
Has he missed the point totally?
These women wanted equal pay, not to be discriminated against. They want to be paid the same as male employees who have the same level of responsibilities. Perhaps credit is not due for a half hearted attempt to try to keep low -paid female members happy!
I met a lot of these workers when a family member was receiving home care. My elderly relative suffered a long and painful battle with cancer and was terminally ill for three years.
These ladies provided care for my aunt while she was dying. Im sure anyone who has witnessed a family member or friend going through a long battle with cancer will agree that its a harrowing thing to see- and to care for someone when they are terminally ill is a very difficult thing to do. Often you will have that experience with you for the rest of your life.
All in all, I can fully understand why these woman want equal pay with the male members of staff.
A grateful member of the public."
The person who is speaking up for low-paid women workers is quite right - equal pay and the introduction of a 'living wage' are two completely different things.
A 'living wage' of £7.15 an hour does not bring about equal pay with traditional male jobs - that are earning £10.00 and £11.00 an hour.
Nor does it compensate women workers for all the years - when the big pay gap between male and female jobs has been allowed to continue - with the blessing of the employers and the trade unions - of course.
EQUAL PAY GETS MY SUPPORT
"I'm writing in relation to the ongoing equal pay saga by employees of South Lanarkshire Council.
As an outsider reading about the case , I can appreciate where low-paid female staff are coming from and the struggle they must have had with the council and their trade union.
In last week's letters page Stephen Smellie's response to what had been said in previous editions of the advertiser. He said in difficult times this year UNISON successfully lobbied for the introduction of a living wage in the council which saw thousands of low-paid, mostly women workers gain a pay rise when pay freezes are the norm. Perhaps a little credit where it is due is called for.
Has he missed the point totally?
These women wanted equal pay, not to be discriminated against. They want to be paid the same as male employees who have the same level of responsibilities. Perhaps credit is not due for a half hearted attempt to try to keep low -paid female members happy!
I met a lot of these workers when a family member was receiving home care. My elderly relative suffered a long and painful battle with cancer and was terminally ill for three years.
These ladies provided care for my aunt while she was dying. Im sure anyone who has witnessed a family member or friend going through a long battle with cancer will agree that its a harrowing thing to see- and to care for someone when they are terminally ill is a very difficult thing to do. Often you will have that experience with you for the rest of your life.
All in all, I can fully understand why these woman want equal pay with the male members of staff.
A grateful member of the public."
