10 January 2012
Council abandons equal pay appeal
The path to justice and compensation has been cleared
for hundreds of UNISON members today as Edinburgh
City Council abandoned its defence of long running
equal pay claims for ex APT&C staff.
The Council has abandoned its plans to appeal against
the right of ex APT&C staff to make equal pay claims.
Through Thompson's solicitors, UNISON is representing
over 1,000 affected people. They are consulting
those involved members will hear more details very
soon.
Private solicitors Stephan Cross have apparently
accepted a deal from the Council on for 400 ex APT&C
staff they are representing.
UNISON has been pursuing over 1100 claims for low
paid women but many payments had been delayed by
the council's intention to appeal the decision to
the Supreme Court in London.
Peter Hunter, UNISON Regional Organiser said: "The
council's decision to abandon the Supreme Court
appeal is another equal pay triumph for low paid
women in UNISON. UNISON has been championing this
specific issue in the Supreme Court for some time
and we are delighted our huge investment has paid
off. The council's claim that women and men can
be treated differently if they work in different
council buildings was a fairly desperate defence.
The time-wasting and delay must stop now - our members
deserve justice. Lord knows they've waited long
enough."
"Hundreds of councils across the UK have been stalling
on equality for women in the hope that work location
or other trivia might be a defence for discrimination.
This ruling has major implications and will be a
welcome boost for workers whose wages are being
attacked left, right and centre"