Thursday 26 Mar 2009

UNISON welcomes investigation into Glasgow job evaluation

UNISON today welcomed the decision of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to investigate classroom assistants' pay in Glasgow.

Around two-thirds of all classroom assistants in Scotland are UNISON members and the union is pursuing several thousand equal pay claims on their behalf across the country.

UNISON has been an active supporter of the Scotland-wide investigation since 2005 and UNISON members have already submitted a wealth of information to the EHRC.

UNISON's Glasgow Branch Convenor, Mike Kirby, said "Classroom assistants are a hidden army of talented and dedicated workers whose value is often overlooked. We trust the investigation will help us to deliver the wages they deserve."

UNISON withdrew from job evaluation in Glasgow due to concerns about the quality of the process. Management wrote the role profiles and they overlooked the complex demands members face. The appeals process has left classroom assistants' concerns unresolved so the union welcomes the chance of access to an independent view.

ENDS

For Further Information Please Contact: Mike Kirby (Glasgow Branch Convenor) 07803 952 261 (m) Glyn Hawker (Scottish Organiser) 07876 441 237 (m) Peter Hunter (Regional Organiser) 07903 814 118 (m) Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 07715 583 729(m)

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