Equal Pay and Sliced Bread

The unions in South Lanarkshire continue to be confused about what to say to their members about equal pay - having been virtually silent on the issue for so many years.

Unison has been embarrassed by the appearance of its branch secretary as a 'management side' witness - in the ongoing Employment Tribunal case involving South Lanarkshire Council.

So much so that the union felt compelled to offer an explanation to members - in a recent branch newsletter.

But the real issue is how the unions have behaved over the piece - what have they been doing all this time - to highlight the huge pay gap between traditional male and female jobs in South Lanarkshire? 

In 2005 they seemed to think everything was 'hunky dory' - that South Lanarkshire Council was the best thing since sliced bread.

Now they're not so sure - now they're hedging their bets - now they're saying that people might have an equal pay claim after all - according to statements made in 2010.

But if union members have delayed taking up an equal pay claim against South Lanarkshire Council - because of advice given by their trade union - to the effect that union members had no claim. 

Then these members may have a case against their own union - in addition to any claim against the council - for failing to give them proper advice.  

If any readers fall into that category - drop Mark Irvine a note at: markirvine@compuserve.com

Compare and Contrast (November 27th 2011)

A kind reader from South Lanarkshire has sent in a Unison 'Members Briefing' from December 2005 - which makes the union look completely daft.

Here's an extract of what it says:

"Councils and unions also had to cooperate to introduce a Job Evaluation system that measured jobs and ensured that jobs of equal value were paid equally - 'equal pay for work of equal value'.

Across the country employers refused to progress local negotiations either never started or proceeded very slowly. Except in South Lanarkshire, where the council were keen to progress.

Negotiations led to the introduction of the common conditions for all staff and the implementation of the Council's job evaluation scheme - the Competence Initiative.

UNISON, GMB and TGWU were fully involved in the negotiations. Finally, following a ballot of all members, an agreement was reached."

So in December 2005 - Unison were acting as cheerleaders for South Lanarkshire Council - extolling the virtues of a local Single Status Agreement - which 'the unions were fully involved in before an agreement was reached'.

Yet in November 2010 - the union finally admits that council employees may have a valid equal pay claim after all - here are Unison's latest thoughts which were published on the blog site recently.

'We (Unison) 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 both statements can't be right - can they?

So lots of angry union members in South Lanarkshire - will be demanding to know - just what the hell's going on.