the coming into force of equal-pay-for-equal-work regulations increased the amount that needed to be paid to the cooking and catering staff
They received grant increases to take this law into account when it came int ofoce in the mid-90s. However, they chose to spend it on other things, like pay rises for them and their mates, instead of actually providing legally-mandated equal pay. So they have no right to threaten services on such grounds. keep to the Fen Causeway
Do you have a reference to actual legal text for that? Or, would you know where I should look for it? Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?
It was an absolute scandal, yet was buried until no win no fee lawyers started contesting the cosy arrangements.
This is the nearest thing I could quickly find to an explanation of what happened
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/career_and_jobs/public_sector/article1499983.ece keep to the Fen Causeway
The Government is so far refusing to bale out the employers, although ministers are worried about the escalating costs that could lead to higher council tax bills next year and further cuts in NHS services. Phil Woolas, the Local Government Minister, is considering legal measures to make agreements binding, though these could fall foul of the Equal Pay Act 1970 and a subsequent EU ruling in 2003.
It's a scandal all around, I agree. Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?
The Gender Equality Duty recently came into force in the UK, requiring public authorities to put together an equality scheme that outline actions for ensuring gender equality, BUT, the English regulations do not go so far as mandating equal pay audits (thank you very much, Women in Work Commission).
I'm happy to note though that the specific duties of the Act intend to be stronger in Wales, and will include mandatory equal pay audits for all authorities that fall under that section of the Act. It involves the devolution of certain powers to Wales to give us the ability to do that, but I've been told that by the end of this year, Wales ought to have mandatory equal pay audits in their version of the regulations.
And well done btw, on securing such a good response about your child's school meals (although I thought that Jamie Oliver had single handedly secured an increase to the school meals budget UK wide, to provide healthier food?). Ad astra per aspera
The values and desire to do to the best for our country (which of course we don't always get right) really drives people here, far more so than in England. There is also a more tangiable heritage and national identity for Wales and Scotland, that connects people more, I think. Ad astra per aspera
I think that is the main difference. Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?
For example, if an equal pay case would result in X amount being awarded to reduce the pay gap between male and female workers, the unions would also be trying to use the same money to ensure that the terms and conditions of male workers would not be reduced ie using pay protection packages. But the money can't cover both and the GMB were challenged over this recently and lost their case because they failed to secure back pay for the women that they were representing within that particular authority.
I totally detest these no win no fee lawyers and the sooner the gap in the legislation that allows them to take on employment tribunal cases is closed, the better. They have however, made unions and authorities sit right up where equal pay is concerned and we are seeing slow improvements but also silly excuses like the one Migeru was given, that services need to be cut because those damn women want equality. Ad astra per aspera
For everything that is important, we seem to see a suggestion that a small increase in council tax is needed for it - which I wouldn't mind so much if council tax allocation was a little fairer in the first place. Ad astra per aspera
My council tax bill increase by about £50 this year, so I wouldn't have minded seeing £1 of that go towards equal pay for equal work for school meals, to be honest. Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?
