01st October 2021

HOW TO SPIN LIKE A TOP

HOW TO SPIN LIKE A TOP

GCC COMMS AND THE TRUTH

The council put out an “update” to staff on the equal pay negotiations

So I’m going to put out what they said and my analysis of what they mean and what really happened:

1. The council is committed to resolving the issue of equal pay and dealing with equal pay claims, making sure that everyone who works for the council is paid equally for equal work.

WELL THEY HAVE A STRANGE WAY OF SHOWING IT ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE A CDO, OR SOCIAL CARE WORKER OR ADMIN WORKER – no commitment to “resolving” your issues. They expect you just to give up.

2. We are also committed to keeping everyone updated about these matters following the regular meetings that take place between senior council officers and claimants’ representatives, including our trade unions.

GOOD – IT’s A SHAME ITS NOT ACCURATE.

3. Council officers met with the claimants’ representatives on Wednesday, 29 September.

TRUE

4. Ahead of that meeting, the council provided further detail on certain categories of new claims where it is willing to make offers to postholders on the same basis as those who received settlements in 2019. Unfortunately, those representing claimants at the meeting have said they are not prepared to engage with the council to make those offers to staff.

THIS IS TRUE. THE CLAIMANT TEAM IS COMMITTED TO FIGHTING FOR EVERYONE NOT TO SEPARATION OF JOBS INTO WINNERS AND LOSERS. ITS WORTH REMINDING GCC THAT THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY OFFERS NOR PROVIDED ANY TERMS FOR THE PAYMENT. ITS ALSO OUR POSITION THAT IF THEY ARE EXCLUDING JOBS THEN EVERYTHING NEEDS TO START AGAIN. 2019 WAS A COMPROMISE- THE COUNCIL CANT JUST TAKE THE BITS THEY LIKE AND JETTISON THE BITS THEY DIDNT LIKE.

5. The council also provided detail on other claims where it is not currently satisfied offers can be justified.

THIS IS NOT HOW IT WAS EXPRESSED. THE JOBS ARE EXCLUDED. FULL STOP. THEY REFUSED TO EXPLAIN WHY OR WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE 2019 EXCEPT THE NAMES OF THE OFFICER LEADING THE MEETING.

6. Whilst those representing the claimants have agreed to withdraw some claims which it agrees have no merit,

THIS IS DISINGENUOUS- WE AGREED THIS IN 2019. ITS POSTS THAT ARE ABOVE GRADE 6 OR COMPARATOR JOBS.

7. There are a large number of other posts which remain in dispute.

WE DONT KNOW IF THEY ARE “IN DISPUTE” – THEY ARE “AMBER” AS THE COUNCIL HASNT DECIDED IF THEY ARE EXCLUDED OR NOT.

8. Unfortunately the claimants’ representatives have declined to provide data they have told officers justifies some or all of these disputed claims.

THE COUNCILS POSITION WAS THAT IT WOULD NOT EXPLAIN THE EXCLUSION OF JOBS. THEY EXPECTED US TO JUSTIFY WHY THEY SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED.

9. The council remains ready and willing to make in-principle offers in relation to a sizeable number of posts,

DEPENDS ON YOUR DEFINITION OF “SIZEABLE”. (MEN AND WOMEN OFTEN HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS)

THE COUNCIL WOULD SO FAR ACCEPT ONLY HOME CARE AND SOME CATERING – OF THE 5000 NEW PRE 18 CLAIMS IT IS ABOUT 500 PEOPLE. ITS NOT THAT WE DONT WANT OFFERS FOR THESE PEOPLE , ITS THAT WE CANT ACCEPT THAT ITS OFFERS FOR ONLY THESE PEOPLE. FOR US ITS ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL.

10. and to carefully consider any evidence relating to other posts, if representatives are prepared to provide it. Whilst our preference is to progress these matters cooperatively, we will consider how best to do so if that cooperation is not forthcoming.

AGAIN ITS THE COUNCIL THAT REFUSED TO ENGAGE AT ALL. WE ASKED TO DISCUSS EACH EXCLUDED JOB, LINE BY LINE – THEY REFUSED AND ENDED THE MEETING PREMATURELY IMO. NOT MY DEFINITION OF “COOPERATION “.

We will continue to update you on any further discussions, as and when they take place. All updates will be published on this page at www.glasgow.gov.uk/staffupdates – equal pay, latest news.

MORE SPIN IS PROMISED. BUT TBH THIS IS ONE AREA WHERE THERE IS AN IMPROVEMENT FROM LAST TIME. UPDATES ARE A GOOD THING. IT SHOWS US WHAT MISINFORMATION IS BEING GIVEN TO POLITICIANS.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH.