More Glasgow MSPs and MPs
A number readers got in touch yesterday in response to my post on Glasgow's MSPs, MPs and the fight for equal pay.
As I've said on the blog before, I am surprised at the lack of interest and involvement from Glasgow's politicians on a major issue which affects thousands of local constituents and is taking place in their own back yard.
One reader suggested that the city's politicians seem to think that equal pay in being 'sorted' by the new SNP-led Council.
Now while there has been a welcome change of rhetoric lately, the fact is that very little has changed when it comes to the need for 'openness and transparency' over Glasgow's WPBR pay arrangements which has to happen before settlement talks get underway.
If you ask me, this is down to the attitude of senior officials and advisers who seem to intent on undermining a settlement process, but whatever the reason the buck on equal pay stops with the council's political leaders.
So the most useful thing equal pay claimants can do is to contact their local MSPs and MPs to ask what they are doing to support the fight for equal pay in Glasgow - because there's a long way to go and the politicians have no reason to believe that things are anywhere near 'sorted'.
The Fight for Equal Pay in Glasgow (06/11/17)
I've been keeping all Glasgow MSPs and MPs up date with developments in the fight for equal pay with Glasgow City Council.
So far, the only 'response' I've received is from Patrick Grady MP who said via Twitter:
"If you're a constituent, please email me - patrick.grady.mp(at) parliament.uk"
To which I replied:
"I'm not a constituent but would be grateful if you could read what I have to say instead of sending back an automatic 'robot-style' response."
I've also been in touch (via Twitter) with James Dornan the MSP for Glasgow Cathcart to ask what he and other MSPs have to say about the City Council's behaviour and its lack of respect for the claimants.
Now James was a local councillor in Glasgow before being elected as an MSP, but his Twitter feed does not have much to say on the subject of equal pay - here are a few examples of what James has been 'tweeting' about over the weekend.
Gender equality in Bangladesh gets a mention which is good, but so far at least there is nothing about the fight for equal pay in Glasgow.
- James Dornan SNP RetweetedIf your MPs can't be left alone for five minutes without sexually assaulting someone, then why are they allowed to remain as your MPs?
- James Dornan SNP Retweeted
- James Dornan SNP RetweetedNew York Marathon runners demand freedom for Catalonia and political prisoners held in Spanish jails
- James Dornan SNP Retweeted
- James Dornan SNP Retweetedlooking forward to James Dornan's @glasgowcathcart presentation about male champions of gender equality #63CPC
- On to talk about role of Male Parliamentarians on Gender Equality in Bangladesh in the next hour. Feel as if it’s never been more important
- James Dornan SNP Retweeted
- On way to Bangladesh ICC to speak on role of Male Parliamentarians in Championing Gender Equality & see poster of @NicolaSturgeon outside
- James Dornan SNP Retweeted
- James Dornan SNP Retweeted
- James Dornan SNP RetweetedGordon Brown sold EK’s Tax Office to Company registered in Cayman Islands - location of choice for the British Establishment?
- 'There's no question of tax avoidance by the Duchy of Lancaster' next sentence 'The Duchy of Lancaster is exempt from paying tax'. Oh Nick
- James Dornan SNP RetweetedI absolutely despise companies like BrightHouse, who get rich by selling poor folk debt. There’s yer Queen investing her money in them.
The Fight for Equal Pay in Glasgow (05/11/17)
I have just sent a copy of my latest blog post on 'Dignity and Respect in Glasgow' to all Glasgow MPSs and MPs including the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
The fight for dignity and respect in Glasgow City Council is part of the ongoing fight for equal pay!
I will let readers know what response, messages of support or encouragement, I get including any 'nil' responses, if any.
I would expect MSPs and MPs to get fully behind their local constituents on such a big issue - one which affects thousands of low paid workers right across Glasgow.
I sent my blog post by Twitter, but here are the MSPs' and MPs' email addresses which I've posted previously.
Glasgow MSPs (Scottish Parliament)
Glasgow MPs (Westminster Parliament)
David.Linden.mp@parliament.uk
Paul.Sweeney.mp@parliament.uk
Carol.Monaghan.mp@parliament.uk
Alison.Thewliss.mp@parliament.uk