Fri 26 Oct 2012
UNISON has won an equal pay deal
for thousands of council staff in Edinburgh. The union today agreed a
settlement with the City of Edinburgh Council after a long-running battle to
secure equal pay claims by up to three thousand workers.
John Stevenson, President of
Edinburgh UNISON branch said:
“We welcome the settlement of
these long standing equal pay claims - and we are delighted that many of our
members will soon start receiving their compensation. Equal pay for work of
equal value is an important principle – but we aim to ensure it happens in
practice too.”
The majority of equal pay
claims brought by UNISON in Edinburgh were on behalf of women administrative
and school-based staff, who argued that their work was of equal value to male
manual workers in receipt of bonus payments. The Court of Session agreed with
that case and the council has withdrawn an appeal to the Supreme Court as part
of the settlement with UNISON.
The deal covers the period
from up to five years before the date of claim.
A council spokesperson
described the settlement as “an excellent outcome for these employees” and said
it reflected a commitment to partnership working from all sides.
Council Leader Andrew Burns
said the ruling coalition group was “absolutely delighted” that the equal pay
claims had been resolved before the end of the year.
ENDS
Notes for editors
1. Joint statement on Equal Pay settlement by
UNISON and City of Edinburgh Council
Friday 26 October 2012
The City of Edinburgh Council and the trade union UNISON, are pleased to announce that terms have been agreed to settle the outstanding equal pay claims of former APT& C employees lodged by UNISON on behalf of their members.
UNISON have confirmed that these terms will be recommended to their members and that this will bring this long-running dispute to an end.
The agreed settlement terms will take a number of months to implement fully and both the Council and UNISON are calling upon those affected to remain patient whilst arrangements are put in place. Payments will commence in the next couple of weeks and will be staggered over the coming three months.
A council spokesperson said: “This is an excellent outcome for these employees and reflects a commitment from Councillors, Officers and trade union representatives to partnership working.”
Leader of the Council, Andrew Burns, said “the Capital Coalition had a firm aim to resolve these claims before the end of the year and we are absolutely delighted to report that this has been achieved.”
John Stevenson, President of City of Edinburgh UNISON branch said: "We welcome the settlement of these long standing equal pay claims - and we are delighted that many of our members will soon start receiving their compensation."
Friday 26 October 2012
The City of Edinburgh Council and the trade union UNISON, are pleased to announce that terms have been agreed to settle the outstanding equal pay claims of former APT& C employees lodged by UNISON on behalf of their members.
UNISON have confirmed that these terms will be recommended to their members and that this will bring this long-running dispute to an end.
The agreed settlement terms will take a number of months to implement fully and both the Council and UNISON are calling upon those affected to remain patient whilst arrangements are put in place. Payments will commence in the next couple of weeks and will be staggered over the coming three months.
A council spokesperson said: “This is an excellent outcome for these employees and reflects a commitment from Councillors, Officers and trade union representatives to partnership working.”
Leader of the Council, Andrew Burns, said “the Capital Coalition had a firm aim to resolve these claims before the end of the year and we are absolutely delighted to report that this has been achieved.”
John Stevenson, President of City of Edinburgh UNISON branch said: "We welcome the settlement of these long standing equal pay claims - and we are delighted that many of our members will soon start receiving their compensation."
2. Background to the Edinburgh equal pay
claims (UNISON Scotland)
The equal pay claims were brought mainly by administrative staff and school-based staff, who were claiming that their work was of equal value to male manual workers who received a bonus.
The Council claimed that the female employees could not make this comparison so the claims were invalid. The UNISON claimants won the point at the Employment Tribunal, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the Court of Session.
The Council had appealed to the Supreme Court, but that appeal will now be withdrawn as part of the settlement agreement.
The settlement will cover the period from up to 5 years before the date of claim.
The equal pay claims were brought mainly by administrative staff and school-based staff, who were claiming that their work was of equal value to male manual workers who received a bonus.
The Council claimed that the female employees could not make this comparison so the claims were invalid. The UNISON claimants won the point at the Employment Tribunal, the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the Court of Session.
The Council had appealed to the Supreme Court, but that appeal will now be withdrawn as part of the settlement agreement.
The settlement will cover the period from up to 5 years before the date of claim.
.
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