Two trade unions have failed in a legal bid to stop Falkirk Council implementing a new equal pay deal. The GMB and Unison launched a petition at the Court of Session last month, in an attempt to stop the council introducing a new deal by terminating the contracts for 3,000 members of staff, and then issuing new ones. The unions asked Lady Dorrian to issue an interim order suspending the dismissals, but she rejected the bid, and said it was a ‘private employment dispute' and was not a matter for the Court of Session. A council spokesman said the new contracts had now been issued, but Unison and GMB members went ahead with a 24-hour strike on 18 December to protest at the changes. The spokesman said: ‘Lady Dorrian found in favour of Falkirk Council, allowing the authority to implement a package of pay and conditions aimed at promoting equality in the workplace. ‘However, the council has no sense of satisfaction over this, only continued determination to do the best for our employees and for the council taxpayer.' Unison branch secretary, Gray Allan, said Lady Dorrian's ruling was now being examined by the trade union's legal team. Mr Allan said there would be a branch meeting tomorrow (Friday) to discuss further action. GMB national secretary, Brian Strutton, predicted a ‘very tough battle' as the trade union members of the National Joint Council for Local Authorities demanded workers should be given a flat rate pay rise of £1,000 to help tackle inequality. Consultation with workers at Staffordshire CC over a single-status pay deal finished on Thursday. The council claimed the new deal would see wages rise for 45% of its workforce.
