UNISON women to march on George Square for equal pay

Hundreds of women will march on George Square in Glasgow on Saturday 10 February, continuing their demand for equal pay. The march will be led by 30 women dressed as suffragettes.

The women are part of UNISON’s equal pay campaign. Having won their legal case they are now demanding a fair and transparent pay and grading scheme and full compensation for the pay they have been denied.

UNISON recently won their legal case and Glasgow City Council agreed not to appeal against a court decision last year over their grading system. Glasgow City Council has agreed to “negotiation not litigation” and to discuss a settlement with UNISON and other trade unions.

UNISON Glasgow city branch chairperson Carol Ball said: “This is not about robbing Peter to pay Pauline. It’s about equality and justice. We must focus on delivering equal pay now and in the future. The council did not want to pay the cost of equality in 2006 and ordinary working people of Glasgow should not have to pay the price of inequality with loss of jobs and services.”

“This will be one of the largest re-distribution of wealth in the history of Glasgow. We are rightly putting money in the pockets of Glasgow’s low paid women. But our fight for equality is far from over. There is plenty of money in society, it’s just in the wrong hands and the people of Glasgow shouldn’t have to pay twice for this injustice. The long march for equality will continue.”

The marchers will assemble 11.30am at Glasgow Green and the march will set off at 12 noon. The march will be led by 30 women dressed as suffragettes. Behind them will be SheBoom women drummers. The women will march from Glasgow Green to George Square.

UNISON Contacts:
Peter Hunter regional manager 0774 0167777
Jenifer McCarey organiser 07958 121118
Danny Phillips communications 07944 664110