Caretakers - do we have a claim?

Caretakers (in schools and other public buildings) are a predominantly male group of workers - but they have equal pay claims as well - despite the advice of the trade unions.

Why? Because caretakers were on some of the highest old manual worker grades (MW4, 5 and 6) to reflect their responsibilities at work - but just like many female jobs, caretakers earned far less than the bonus earning male groups - refuse workers, gardeners and gravediggers.

When Action 4 Equality came along and lifted the lid off equal pay - - we advised caretakers and other male groups that they too had valid equal pay claims - although they do rely on the women workers winning their claims first.

At the time, the unions rubbished what Action 4 Equality said - they laughed in the faces of their male members and told them they were wasting their time.

But now the unions have egg all over their faces - because the employment tribunals in a recent test case (Abbott and others v South Tyneside Council) have agreed male workers do indeed have perfectly valid equal pay claims.

Male claims are limited to the date when the first female claims are registered - but the decision also means that if employers leave the male groups out of the local equal pay settlements - then the male workers can complain of direct sex discrimination - and raise a separate claim for 'injury to feelings'.

The bottom line is that caretakers and other male groups are still very much in the game when it comes to equal pay - and have valuable claims - notwithstanding the lack of union support for their own members.

If you know of anyone that falls into this category - tell them the good news and help spread the word.