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Members will be aware that taking strike action means pay is
given up. As pensions are deferred pat, strike action also has an additionalimpact on LGPS members. This guide explains how
days lost through industrial action are treated in the LGPS. For further information please go to our Pensions Page.
Continuous Professional Development Opportunity - HTLA specialist training in Food Technology
BCC - Newsletter - Single Status - Important Update
EQUAL PAY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
NOT YET SUBMITTED AN EQUAL PAY CLAIM?
PRINT
OFF AN EQUAL PAY CLAIM REGISTRATION FORM AND LET US DO THE REST
Throughout local government the GMB has been fighting to achieve equal
pay. Whether by single status pay and grading deals in Councils are low paid, mainly women, workers who
have been undervalued for so long now have a real chance to improve their pay and career prospects. But the legacy of past inequality
and the failure of some Councils to fund equal pay mean that many thousands of workers may be entitled to make compensation
claims under the Equal Pay Act. The GMB would prefer to deal with this by negotiation to arrive at fair,
sensible resolutions without the need for uncertain and lengthy litigation. But where negotiations fail
we are quite prepared to use the law. That is why GMB has set up an Equal Pay Unit specifically to handle claims on behalf of members.
The Unit will be run by professional lawyers to assess cases and, where strong enough, pursue those that cannot be
resolved through negotiation. What is an equal pay claim?
Speaking generally, if you have been paid less than someone of the opposite sex doing the same or a similar job or one of
equal value then you may have a claim. A claim arises under the Equal Pay Act and is lodged with an Employment
Tribunal after registering a grievance. The Equal Pay Unit will do all this. What
do I have to do?
If you think you might have a claim simply fill in the attached form and send
it to the address shown on it. We will let you know of your case has merit and if so the Equal Pay Unit
will send you a detailed questionnaire for a thorough evaluation. Are there time limits? Yes and the
simple rule of thumb is to register your potential claim using the form as soon as possible. The time limit is that a claim
must be at an Employment Tribunal within six months of either leaving employment or where a contract of employment is terminated,
whichever is earlier. Note that there is a risk (though GMB does not share this view) that being assimilated on to Agenda
for Change or possibly even having a new local authority single status structure will constitute a new contract, starting
the six month time limit clock ticking. If you are already nearing the end of the time limit we will do
our best but it is the individual’s responsibility to urgently submit a grievance and a claim to Tribunal so contact
the GMB for help immediately. What will it cost?
There will be no charge to GMB members for the lodging of grievances and tribunal applications and carrying out assessments
of the equal pay cases. However, it should be noted that equal pay claims are difficult and the GMB cannot
give guarantees of success nor that the union will be able to guarantee funding claims to a full tribunal hearing. The GMB wants
all members who might have an equal pay claim to complete the registration form. We will then try
to negotiate collective settlements but if we can’t we will have prepared the ground to use litigation.
Through the Equal Pay Unit GMB can ensure that no stone is left unturned in the campaign to win pay equality for all. To submit an Equal Pay Claim
please print the following Equal Pay Claim Registration Form and return to Andrea Austin at Regional Office.
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