Around ten thousand low paid women at Glasgow city council received a large helping of festive cheer from Scotland’s top judges today.
The council was today refused permission by the Court of Session to appeal against the women’s equal pay victory earlier this year.
After ten years of litigation, the claimants supported by UNISON and Action 4 Equality won a historic victory in August, forcing the council to start talks about substantial compensation.
Despite committing to “do the right thing” the council petitioned the Court of Session for permission to keep the legal battle going with an appeal to London. This was refused unequivocally today.
UNISON Scotland Regional Manager Peter Hunter said: “In a clear and unequivocal judgement read from the bench the Court immediately dismissed every shred of argument presented by the council lawyers.
“Glasgow city council has shown an appetite for endless litigation that has delayed justice for thousands of women.
“We have rarely seen such forthright and immediate rejection of an employer argument.
“The Court could not have been more clear – the council do not have a valid pay system and they must address their obligations to women and do that now. Our members were in court and could not be more delighted. We look forward to the hard work of delivering justice for our people in the new year.”
Notes to Editors
Talks start on 9th January. Our press release from the earlier decision is here https://unison-scotland.org/2017/08/18/unison-win-second-big-equal-pay-victory-glasgow/
For further information please contact:
Peter Hunter, UNISON Scotland Regional Manager 07740 167777