UNISON Scotland is calling on Glasgow City Council to put an end to damaging and expensive legal appeals and finally pay women what they are owed.
Glasgow’s City Administration Committee will meet tomorrow (Wednesday, January 17) to discuss its next move in the long-running equal pay dispute, estimated to be worth up to £500m. The Supreme Court has said any appeal must be lodged by Thursday, January 18.
The council has three options: they can appeal to the Supreme Court; they can embark upon mass tribunal litigation (equal value assessments at employee tribunals can take as long as 4 – 6 years, during which time costs will escalate); or settle the pay claims.
UNISON is calling on elected members to decline the option of the Supreme Court appeal and support a cross-party solution to pay equality.
Peter Hunter, UNISON’s regional manager, said: “Time is literally running out for Glasgow City Council. We are calling time’s up on discrimination, the courts are calling time’s up on legal wrangling and voters are calling time’s up on the spiralling bill to the public purse. Let’s be clear – this ends now.
“The council has delayed justice for thousands of women with its appetite for endless litigation. The court has been very clear: the council does not have a valid pay system in place. Councillors can not continue to waste public money on further litigation defending these discriminatory practices.
“The time is up on pay discrimination, Glasgow City Council must face up to its obligations to women and end the dispute now.”
Notes to editors
• UNISON will be leading a demonstration outside Glasgow City Chambers on Wednesday, 9.30am. UNISON officials, lawyers and women involved in equal pay claims will be available for interview on the day.
• Claimants are being represented by UNISON Scotland and Action 4 Equality. There have been 4,000 new claims since August bringing the total to approximately 10,000.
• In August 2017, the Court of Session ruled decisively against Glasgow City Council. It found that Glasgow City Council’s Workforce Pay and Benefits Review (WPBR) was invalid.
For further information please contact:
Peter Hunter, UNISON’s regional manager, on 07740 167 777
Trisha Hamilton, communications officer, 0141 342 2877