UNISON

The Background

In 1997 local government unions and employers signed the Single Status Agreement which introduced the standard 37 hour week and a single job evaluation scheme for manual and non manual workers.

In many Councils the 1997 Agreement has yet to be fully implemented and there are many instances where equal pay systems have yet to be agreed.

In December 2004 local government unions and employers in Yorkshire and Humberside agreed a protocol for dealing with equal pay.  Over the coming months UNISON will be negotiating with your employer so that any employee with a potential equal pay claim can receive compensation.  This will apply mainly to women.

Negotiating a settlement on equal pay is recognised by both sides to be the best way forward.  The alternative would be for thousands of individual claims to be progressed through the grievance procedure and the Employment Tribunal.

The Tribunal process can be a lottery, can take years to complete, and is extremely expensive.

There are firms of no win - no fee lawyers who are touting for business in equal pay cases.  UNISON is strongly advising members not to sign up with such firms.  They are only interested in taking a slice of your money.  These firms skim 30% off any compensation award and have a penalty charge of up to £565 if you drop your claim.

When UNISON has negotiated a deal it will be subject to a ballot of the members affected.

Members who leave their current jobs or whose jobs change significantly have 6 months in which to submit a claim.  If this occurs you should check with your local UNISON Branch to see if you have a claim.  You will need to continue to pay UNISON subscriptions.