SLC Update (27/09/15)
Here's an extract from the old Manual Worker job evaluation scheme (JES) which remained in place from the 1980s until new pay and JES arrangements were put in place by the Scottish Council employers under the 1999 Single Status (Equal Pay) Agreement.
In South Lanarkshire the council management and the trade unions both claimed that they implemented 'satisfactory' new arrangements in 2004, although as regular readers know the South Lanarkshire JES was subsequently shown to be 'unfit for purpose' following a long-running Employment Tribunal hearing initiated by Action 4 Equality Scotland.
Some councils took even longer to introduce new pay and JES arrangements, but that's another story for another day.
The significance of the following extract from the old Green Book (as it was called) JES lies in the reference to true "physical tasks" and "social duties" required of Home Carers back in the late 1980s which demonstrates, conclusively, that a major part of these jobs was to help their clients to live independently in their own homes.
In other words, the outdated image of Home Carers just making cups of tea and 'hoovering the carpet' had disappeared long ago and this was reflected in the Manual Worker 5 Grade that Home Carers were awarded - higher than that of a council refuse collector, refuse driver of gravedigger, for example.
Yet because the Home Carers jobs did not receive big bonus payments the male jobs all ended up being paid much more than the women - with the men getting £9.00 and hour or more, while the female carers (and other similar jobs) lagged way behind on only £6.00 an hour to thereabouts.
Now why is this important?
Because I've now finished reading written witness statement prepared by the Unison branch secretary in South Lanarkshire, Stephen Smellie, for the marathon tribunal hearing against South Lanarkshire Council.
And before I share with readers what Mr Smellie had to say, I think's it's important that everyone understand some basic facts about the old Manual Worker jobs and how they were graded.
More to follow in the days ahead.
Home Help
MW (Manual Worker) Grade 5
OUTLINE OF DUTIES
Have individual responsibility, in accordance with the practices and procedures of the local authority, for the personal needs of clients. The duties will include: domestic duties (for example cleaning, cooking and washing), physical tasks approximating to home care (for example, washing and feeding clients); and social duties (for example taking with clients, helping clients to maintain contact with family, friends and community, assisting with shopping and recreation) aimed at creating a supportive homely atmosphere where clients can achieve maximum independence.
Also providing general support to the cline as part of a caring team liaising with other services as necessary.
Factor levels:
Skill - 4
People - 4
Responsibility - 2
Supervision - 2
Initiative - 3
Mental Effort - 3
Physical Effort - 3
Working Conditions - 3
Total - 24
