Glasgow's Fight For Equal Pay
Back in 2018 I responded point-by-point to a letter from Annemarie O'Donnell (AOD) to the Glasgow 'Council Family'.
I've decided to do this again given the latest breakdown in equal pay settlement negotiations.
AOD Letter
"I want to give you an update about the council's commitment to resolving equal pay claims."
MY COMMENT
I'VE BEEN STUNG INTO WRITING THIS LETTER BECAUSE MARK IRVINE MADE SUCH FUN OF THE COUNCIL ON HIS BLOG
"You may recall from previous communications that agreement was reached with all parties involved on how to settle equal pay claims up to 2018. Payments to claimants were made following approval of the funding at the City Administration Committee in February 2019."
IN 2019 THE COUNCIL ACCEPTED THE WPBR WAS 'UNFIT FOR PURPOSE' WHICH IS WHY IT PAID OUT £500 MILLION IN PARTIAL SETTLEMENT CLAIMS - WHAT'S CHANGED?
"Some claimants were also due payments towards pensions and the calculations and settlements for pensions are still ongoing due to the complexity of the process. I can assure you that this remains a priority for the council and the process is being worked on by council officers."
GCC HAS SCREWED UP YET AGAIN
"As you know we are in the process of implementing a new pay and grading scheme and until that scheme is implemented, we will continue to deal with the issue of equal pay claims."
A REPLACEMENT FOR THE UNFIT FOR PURPOSE WPBR WAS DUE TO BE IN PLACE BY APRIL 2021
"This involves negotiations between the council and claimants' representatives which includes our trade unions, on how to settle any new claims and the ongoing claims from 2018 and until a new scheme is in place."
"Senior council officers are now meeting claimants' representatives and trade unions fortnightly to agree how to settle new and outstanding claims."
THIS IS NONSENSE - THERE ARE NO NEGOTIATIONS TAKING PLACE
"We will continue to keep everyone updated on this matter including committee decisions required to approve the process and payments to claimants"
IF THE COUNCIL IS LEFT TO ITS OWN DEVICES THIS WILL BE ON THE TWELFTH OF NEVER!
Annemarie O'Donnell
GCC - Chief Executive
Glasgow - Message for Annemarie (05/10/18)
Here's my point by point answer to Annemarie O'Donnell's email to equal pay claimants in Glasgow which concludes by asking:
"Why don't you show some real leadership for a change - by offering your resignation?"
Please read this along with my post from earlier today - 'Breaking News! - Glasgow Family Alert'
Subject: Industrial action by Unison and GMB
MESSAGE FROM ANNEMARIE O’DONNELL, CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
Dear Colleague,
Both Unison and GMB have written to me advising that they intend to take strike action on 23rd and 24th October.
THE TRADE UNIONS ARE RESPONDING TO THE VIEWS OF THEIR MEMBERS WHO VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY - BY 99% AND 98% - FOR STRIKE ACTION.
I want to be clear that, if you are a member of either union and were balloted for industrial action, you have every right to withdraw your labour and I fully appreciate that your Trade Union is asking you to take part in a wholly legal strike. You also have every right to campaign for a fair settlement to equal pay and I understand why you would feel anger about this issue.
I want to be clear that, if you are a member of either union and were balloted for industrial action, you have every right to withdraw your labour and I fully appreciate that your Trade Union is asking you to take part in a wholly legal strike. You also have every right to campaign for a fair settlement to equal pay and I understand why you would feel anger about this issue.
BUT NOT ONE WORD OF APOLOGY OR REGRET FROM THE COUNCIL'S MOST SENIOR OFFICIAL WHO HAS BEEN DEFENDING AND JUSTIFYING GLASGOW'S 'UNFIT FOR PURPOSE' PAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR YEARS.
However, I am writing to ask those of you balloted for strike action to carefully consider your decision to go on strike and also its impact on the critical services you provide in your community.
However, I am writing to ask those of you balloted for strike action to carefully consider your decision to go on strike and also its impact on the critical services you provide in your community.
DOES THE CHIEF EXEC THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE STUPID AND HAVE NOT ALREADY THOUGHT THINGS THROUGH CAREFULLY? HOW PATRONISING CAN YOU GET! INSTEAD OF BLAMING UNION MEMBERS THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE PUTTING FORWARD PROPOSALS THAT COULD ALLOW THE STRIKE TO BE SUSPENDED.
This strike will, at best, have a profound effect on the safety of the most vulnerable people in our city. At worst, it will result in the loss of life.
ONE MINUTE WE'RE 'COUNCIL FAMILY' - THE NEXT WE ARE THREATENING THE LIVES AND SAFETY OF CLIENTS WE HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS.
The Council is committed to reaching a settlement on equal pay by negotiation. In January, the council and claimants agreed that this would take until at least December – and the Trade Unions signed up to that timescale on your behalf.
The Council is committed to reaching a settlement on equal pay by negotiation. In January, the council and claimants agreed that this would take until at least December – and the Trade Unions signed up to that timescale on your behalf.
THE CLAIMANTS' REPRESENTATIVES (A4ES, GMB AND UNISON) SIGNED UP TO A SETTLEMENT PROCESS BASED ON 'SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS', BUT THE SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS HAVE NEVER MATERIALISED - AFTER 10 MONTHS AND 21 SEPARATE MEETINGS WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS.
Contrary to what you have been told, good progress is being made.
Contrary to what you have been told, good progress is being made.
IF GOOD PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE, THE UNIONS WOULD NOT BE TAKING STRIKE ACTION AND GLASGOW'S EQUAL PAY CASES WOULD NOT BE RETURNING TO THE EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS.
The council was asked by Trade Union representatives to withdraw any further legal appeals and we did.
The council was asked by Trade Union representatives to withdraw any further legal appeals and we did.
THE COUNCIL STOPPED FURTHER LEGAL APPEALS BECAUSE IT LOST TWO LANDMARK JUDGMENTS AT THE COURT OF SESSION, SCOTLAND'S HIGHEST CIVIL COURT. SENIOR COUNCIL OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN DEFENDING THE WPBR AND ITS BLATANTLY DISCRMINATORY 37 HOUR RULE FOR YEARS.
We were asked to abandon WPBR. We have not only done this, but a report recommending the adoption of the same Job Evaluation Scheme that most other Scottish councils use will go to committee next week. This is the scheme endorsed by your Trade Union representatives, who were fully involved in the evaluation of which scheme the council should use.
THE WPBR WAS ABANDONED BECAUSE IT WAS CONDEMNED AS 'UNFIT FOR PURPOSE. BY THE COURT OF SESSION, THE HIGHEST CIVIL COURT IN SCOTLAND. ACTION 4 EQUALITY SCOTLAND (A4ES) IS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS TO REPLACE THE JES AS WELL.
The Trade Unions asked for Cordia to be brought back into the Council and terms and conditions to be harmonised with Council terms. This happened last weekend.
AGREED AND THIS A GOOD THING - ALTHOUGH THE COUNCIL HAS STILL TO AGREE HOW CORDIA WORKERS ARE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR BEING TREATED AS 'SECOND CLASS CITIZENS' FOR SO MANY YEARS.
Despite all of this, you are being told negotiation meetings are pointless and that the Council is not negotiating. This is simply untrue.
Despite all of this, you are being told negotiation meetings are pointless and that the Council is not negotiating. This is simply untrue.
NEGOTIATING MEETINGS WHERE THERE ARE NO 'NEGOTIATIONS' ARE CLEARLY POINTLESS - THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO CHANGE ITS APPROACH AND GET SERIOUS ABOUT RESOLVING THIS LONG-RUNNING DISPUTE.
Considerable progress has also been made on the job evaluation element of negotiations and the claimants’ representatives acknowledge this.
Considerable progress has also been made on the job evaluation element of negotiations and the claimants’ representatives acknowledge this.
YES, BUT THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW JOB EVALUATION SCHEME IS NOT THE MAIN ISSUE AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE IT IS IS 2 OR POSSIBLY 3 YEARS AWAY ACCORDING TO THE COUNCIL.
We have also made significant progress on the methodology element – the way the value of eventual settlement is calculated. Again, the claimants’ representatives agree and have acknowledged that progress.
We have also made significant progress on the methodology element – the way the value of eventual settlement is calculated. Again, the claimants’ representatives agree and have acknowledged that progress.
YET AFTER ALL THIS TIME THERE IS STILL NO AGREEMENT ON HOW TO COMPENSATE THE CLAIMANTS, EVEN IN PRINCIPLE.
At the same time, the council has agreed to significantly increase the frequency of meetings so that we can push forward the work already underway to agree comparators – establishing an approach to overtime, to NSWP and the other important elements of the claim.
At the same time, the council has agreed to significantly increase the frequency of meetings so that we can push forward the work already underway to agree comparators – establishing an approach to overtime, to NSWP and the other important elements of the claim.
THE COUNCIL ALSO SAYS IT WILL NOT TALK TO THE UNIONS WHILE INDUSTRIAL ACTION IS UNDERWAY - YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.
I need to say to you that strike action cannot have any influence on the settlement. It cannot change the timetable and it cannot change the outcome. All of this is happening. It is happening now and, following discussions with the claimants’ representatives this month and next, the council will make a settlement offer in December for further discussion with the claimants’ representatives.
THE PURPOSE OF THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION IS TO BRING ABOUT SOME MUCH NEEDED CHANGE IN THE COUNCIL'S APPROACH TO SETTLEMENT AND THE FACT THAT THE PROMISE OF 'SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS' HAS NEVER MATERIALISED.
I do not know why the Trade Unions have asked colleagues to go on strike or what objectives the Trade Union thinks can be achieved. I do not know what they think can be done to reach a settlement within the agreed timescale, other than what is already being done.
I do not know why the Trade Unions have asked colleagues to go on strike or what objectives the Trade Union thinks can be achieved. I do not know what they think can be done to reach a settlement within the agreed timescale, other than what is already being done.
FOR THE SAME REASON THAT THE EQUAL PAY CLAIMS ARE RETURNING TO THE EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS - THE COUNCIL HAS RENEGED ON ITS PROMISE TO NEGOTIATE IN 'GOOD FAITH'. THE CLAIMANTS HAVE ALSO ISSUED A JOINT STATEMENT WITH A VERY CLEAR LIST OF DEMANDS.
What I do know is the terrible effect of a strike.
What I do know is the terrible effect of a strike.
IN WHICH CASE AS THE COUNCIL'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE YOU SHOULD BE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO AVERT A STRIKE - INSTEAD OF APPORTIONING BLAME
If you work in Homecare you will know better than me what it means to our old people when we withdraw our services.
If you work in Homecare you will know better than me what it means to our old people when we withdraw our services.
YES, WHICH IS WHY THE WORKFORCE BATTLED THROUGH TERRIBLE WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE 'BEAST FROM THE EAST'.
In the 48 hours over which your union is asking you to strike; you and your colleagues would normally carry out around at least 30,000 home care visits to more than 6,500 clients – more than 1,200 of whom are among the most vulnerable people in the city, including those receiving end-of-life care.
In the 48 hours over which your union is asking you to strike; you and your colleagues would normally carry out around at least 30,000 home care visits to more than 6,500 clients – more than 1,200 of whom are among the most vulnerable people in the city, including those receiving end-of-life care.
WHICH GOES TO SHOW HOW BADLY THE WORKFORCE HAS BEEN TREATED AND EXPLOITED FOR YEARS.
You would support around 160 people who, without our services, will be unable to leave hospital.
You would support around 160 people who, without our services, will be unable to leave hospital.
YES AND SO THE SOONER THE COUNCIL GETS SERIOUS ABOUT RESOLVING THIS DISPUTE THE BETTER FOR ALL CONCERNED INCLUDING THE HOME CARERS.
I want to be absolutely clear that there is almost nothing the Council can do to cover these services during a strike. Withdrawing labour does mean that the critical service provided is also withdrawn. Our clients are, I’m afraid, on their own.
I want to be absolutely clear that there is almost nothing the Council can do to cover these services during a strike. Withdrawing labour does mean that the critical service provided is also withdrawn. Our clients are, I’m afraid, on their own.
HOME CARERS ARE DEDICATED TO THEIR CLIENTS BUT THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE WORKERS TO STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES.
If you work in Education, you will know that schools and early years establishments will close. You will know that parents and carers will struggle to make arrangements to look after their children. If you work in Facilities Management, you will know that your services will simply stop.
If you work in Education, you will know that schools and early years establishments will close. You will know that parents and carers will struggle to make arrangements to look after their children. If you work in Facilities Management, you will know that your services will simply stop.
THE COUNCIL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE - INDUSTRIAL ACTION HAS BEEN BUILDING UP FOR A LONG TIME.
Strike or no strike there will be a settlement offer from the council in December; at least for all of those still at the table. To be clear, neither Unison nor the GMB will be at the table while industrial action continues.
Strike or no strike there will be a settlement offer from the council in December; at least for all of those still at the table. To be clear, neither Unison nor the GMB will be at the table while industrial action continues.
TRYING TO BULLY AND INTIMIDATE THE WORKFORCE IS NOT A GOOD MOVE.
Unison and the GMB will, no doubt, have reminded you of the power that you have in flexing your industrial might. On that, we agree.
Unison and the GMB will, no doubt, have reminded you of the power that you have in flexing your industrial might. On that, we agree.
THE MOST SENIOR OFFICIALS IN THE COUNCIL HAVE FAILED TO STAND UP FOR THE INTERESTS OF THE LOWEST PAID WORKERS IN THE COUNCIL - NO WONDER THEY HAVE FINALLY HAD ENOUGH
Colleagues have been asked to bring some of the city’s most crucial services to a halt. I am asking them to choose not to.
Colleagues have been asked to bring some of the city’s most crucial services to a halt. I am asking them to choose not to.
WHY DON'T YOU SHOW SOME REAL LEADERSHIP FOR A CHANGE - BY OFFERING YOUR RESIGNATION?
Annemarie O’Donnell
Chief Executive
Annemarie O’Donnell
Chief Executive
