Title

A test case on equal pay for women workers at Glasgow City Council is due to go before an industrial tribunal. Six women are taking the action on behalf of more than 50 other female staff in manual jobs including cleaning, catering and home help. But lawyers involved in the case warn that, if it is successful, up to 5,000 women could have similar claims. The women will argue they should be paid the same as men employed in jobs which the council's job evaluation scheme has rated as equivalent. If the action is successful, the women could be awarded compensation for nine years' of pay shortages. Local authority workers union, GMB Scotland, estimates the bill to settle equal pay back pay across Scotland amounts to £300M. GMB senior organiser for local government, Alex McLuckie, said: ‘Many of these original equal pay cases are straightforward and GMB believes them to be justified. Scottish councils need help from the Scottish Parliament with this funding in the same way as councils have been given help to meet similar bills south of the border.' Carol Fox, head of litigation for Scotland at Stefan Cross Solicitors, who is representing the six women, said: ‘This hearing is of significant importance for 5,000 Glasgow City Council women employees with similar claims.' The tribunal gets underway a week after the council said it was increasing its minimum wage for staff to £7 per hour in a bid to tackle low pay. The council declined to comment. Last week the Department for Communities and Local Government invited councils to apply for an extra round of capitalisation for equal pay claims this year.

Title

WHITEHALL

Glasgow in equal pay battle

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING