William Eichler 01 April 2016

Scottish council urged to settle equal pay claims

Union members call on a Scottish council to settle outstanding equal pay claims they argue are being delayed because of a lack of ‘political will’.

GMB Scotland organised a protest in North Lanarkshire yesterday to demand the local authority compensate 2000 female workers for past discriminatory pay practices.

The council has already paid out £100m in equal pay claims but, GMB Scotland argues, many more council employees are entitled to compensation.

‘The only thing stopping these women from getting the money they deserve, the money that they worked for, that belongs to them, is the political will to do so,’ Hazel Nolan, GMB regional organiser, said.

Women working across the public sector have, historically, been paid less than their male counterparts for doing comparable jobs, so equal pay claims have been introduced to make up for this.

Many councils—most famously, Birmingham City Council—have been hit by these claims, which have added an extra burden to already squeezed budgets.

In January this year, Fife Council faced a potential £50m equal pay claim which, it argued, would have a ‘significant impact’ on its finances.

Speaking to the Daily Record, council home support worker Sandra Barron said: ‘I am being discriminated by my employers North Lanarkshire Council.

‘In May/ June 2015, hundreds of my female-co workers received their Equal Pay settlement as ruled by the courts. To date I and around 500 other female employees have not received any of our Equal Pay Entitlement.’

‘The council leader for North Lanarkshire, Cllr Jim Logue, and his fellow Councillors are in a position to sort this out immediately,’ GMB’s Ms Nolan said.

‘The only thing stopping these women from getting the money they deserve, the money that they worked for, that belongs to them, is the political will to do so.’

‘Some of these women have died waiting and now their families are still waiting for the council to give them back their money,’ she added.

A spokesperson for the council said the delay was because they had to confirm the legitimacy of the remaining claims.

‘Both the council leader and depute leader have made it clear that the council will settle equal pay claims where these are justified,’ they explained.

‘All new claims have to be checked for accuracy before payments can be made.’

The spokesperson added that the council and deputy leader would meet with representatives from GMB next week to seek a solution to the issue.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Children’s Social Care and Early Help

Thurrock Borough Council
Salary
Thurrock Borough Council
Recuriter: Thurrock Borough Council

Rights of Way Assistant

Derbyshire County Council
£28,797 - £30,708
Within the Highways Directorate we are looking to appoint enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service. Darley Dale, Matlock
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Design Engineer

Essex County Council
Up to £0.0000 per annum
Project Design EngineerFixed Term, Full Time£37,559 to £44,186 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Project Design Engineer

Essex County Council
Up to £0.0000 per annum
Project Design EngineerFixed Term, Full Time£37,559 to £44,186 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker - Children in Care, West Essex

Essex County Council
Negotiable
Social Worker - Children in Care, West EssexPermanent, Full Time£37,185 to £50,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner