Blast from the Past

Here's another post from the blog site archive on North Lanarkshire Council and its fast unravelling job evaluation scheme (JES).

Now I don't take any comfort from saying all those years ago that there was something badly flawed about the Council's JES, but what I find strange is that the trade unions didn't create a big fuss - by campaigning and holding public protests or even threatening industrial action - over what was going on.  

Seems like equal pay was just not a big enough issue which is crazy if you ask me, especially when you think that nearly 70% of union members in Scottish councils are women - and most of them are low paid, of course.  

North Lanarkshire Council (11 December 2007)

Contrary to popular belief, North Lanarkshire has not made a mess of its Job Evaluation Scheme (JES). 

Oh no, the reality is actually much worse than that - because the council has set out , quite deliberately, to treat many women workers less favourably than men in traditional male jobs - see posts dated 6 and 10 December 2007.

Senior managers have a lot to answer for - and so too do the trade unions - because they've sat on the sidelines and failed to explain what's been going on to their own members. 

Sadly, the unions have kept a lid on things - kept their heads down - when their members needed practical advice and strong leadership. 

What should people do now?

1. Appeal and challenge you grade - if you feel it undervalues your job
2. Demand to know how all NLC jobs have been scored - especially traditional male jobs
3. Submit an equal pay claim as well as an internal appeal - this will take your case outside of the council - to an independent Employment Tribunal

The bottom line is don't take things lying down. 

Get organised - in small or large groups - and use the information on the Action 4 Equality web site - to challenge the way the Job Evaluation Scheme has been introduced.