The Penny's Dropped

I am pleased to report that there's been a big upsurge in new equal pay enquiries from former APT&C workers in North Lanarkshire in recent weeks - from clerical workers and classroom assistants especially. 

So the message seems to be getting home that this group has essentially the same issue about equal pay as everyone else - is there a pay gap between traditional male and female jobs and if so, can the gap be justified?

Now if you look at the difference in pay between some of these jobs, the gap seems impossible to justify because the former bonus earnings of the male jobs have been used to determine their place on the new (post job evaluation) pay scales.

But bonus earnings have no role in job evaluation (or ought to have no role) which means that, in practice, the male jobs have been given a big boost compared to their women colleagues.  

Clerical Workers (19 April 2014)

I've had several emails from clerical workers in North Lanarkshire in recent days who all say the same thing - that they've had no information or encouragement from the trade unions to take up equal pay claims against the Council.

So let's clarify and explain, although regular readers will know that I've been banging on about this for years.

The position is that clerical workers in North Lanarkshire Council have essentially the same potential claim as everyone else.

A claim arises because of the big pay differences between traditional male and female jobs and as a result of the way these jobs have been assimilated on to the Council's pay structures post job evaluation. 

Action 4 Equality Scotland is already representing hundreds of school-based clerical workers in North Lanarkshire and the arguments in support of other clerical staff (i.e. non school-based) are exactly the same.

So whether clerical staff work in a school or Motherwell Civic Centre of some other Council office the question is: 

How can these various clerical jobs be paid so much less than traditional male jobs such as refuse workers and gardeners? 

Now as far as I'm concerned there's no credible defence to the big differences in pay North Lanarkshire and that's why clerical workers of all kinds should protect their position by registering an equal pay claim - without delay.

Lots of clerical workers in South Lanarkshire have lost out by listening to their trade unions and failing to take action to defend their interests. 

So spread the word and get things moving before it's too late.

Contact Action 4 Equality Scotland:

Phone:0131 652 7366

Email: enquiries@action4equality.co.uk