The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) today revealed that Scottish local authorities have paid at least £1.6 million of taxpayer’s money to lawyers to oppose the thousands of equal pay cases against them, at the same time as they have already paid out millions more in offers to workers affected.
Information obtained from local authorities by the STUC reveals that council taxpayers’ money is already funding a substantial legal bill to block equal pay claims, with the claims that are progressing through the Employment Tribunal system still only at preliminary hearing stage.
Speaking on the issue Mary Senior, STUC Assistant Secretary said: “The STUC has real concerns that the only winners in this equal pay conundrum are the corporate lawyers. The current situation is not helping the women whose jobs have been undervalued for decades, nor local council tax payers”.
“We are in danger of equal pay litigation spiralling out of control. Cases that are being heard are only in preliminary hearing, we are not yet discussing the real issues on equal value, bonus systems, and the merits of each case. ”
Ms Senior continued: “What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the Employment Tribunal system, as currently organised, is not dealing with this effectively. We need to take a fresh look at the situation to establish an appropriate forum to resolve this kind of mass litigation. Audit Scotland has done little to scrutinise local authority spending on equal pay. The Scottish Government has failed to take into account addressing pay inequality in the Scottish Budget. Everyone appears to want to wash their hands on equal pay, when what is desperately needed is the money and political will to pay hard working women workers, and end discrimination”.
“The politicians are quick to take action when Scottish jobs and financial institutions are at risk. The STUC calls on the Scottish Government to take action to sort out equal pay now. What we need is a serious commitment to equal pay, and the Scottish Government is best placed to take this issue forward”.
ENDS
For further information Mary Senior tel 0141 337 8100