Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1

Here are some frequently asked questions about pursuing an equal pay claim - more will be added as time goes by - if you have a query, just drop an e-mail to: markirvine@compuserve.com

Which council employees have an equal pay claim?
All of the lower paid groups - which means a big majority of women workers because they are all to be found at the bottom of the pay ladder.

Do only manual worker employees have a claim?
No, equal pay is not restricted to manual workers or former manual workers - it's about the skills used and responsibilities required in your job.

What is a comparator?
A comparator is another council employee (usually male) who is paid more than you - despite the fact that the difference in pay between the two jobs seems impossible to justify. For example, home carers or classroom assistants are paid much less than refuse workers, which seems completely ridiculous to any fair minded person.

Do clerical/admin and similar workers have a claim?
Yes, definitely. Often these female dominated jobs require high level skills and qualifications - yet they get paid much less than many unskilled male jobs.

Are the unions aware of the difference in pay between male and female jobs?
Yes, because they negotiate the bonus payments for the male jobs - but they have kept them secret from the women workers all these years - fearing, quite rightly, that they will have a lot of explaining to do to their low paid women members.

Do I have to be in a union to make a claim?
No, absolutely not. We have lots of clients who are union members and many others who are non-union members. We also have clients who are former union reps - fed up with all the excuses and lies they've been forced to put up with for years.