Glasgow - Breaking News!

I have just been told that Cordia staff have received a text to confirm that no one will 'penalised' for not getting into work while Glasgow's schools have been closed over the past few days, due to the unprecedented weather conditions.

In other words, no member of staff will have to take unpaid leave or use their annual leave - which sounds like a victory for common sense, if you ask me.

So well done to everyone who helped get a message across to Cordia (and no doubt GCC) earlier today including Councillor Elspeth Kerr who stood up and spoke out at a crucial time.

Yet again people have helped to prove the point that 'Many Hands Make Light Work' which is encouraging for the ongoing fight for equal pay.

Today, Cordia's annual leave/unpaid leave malarkey has been the centre of attention, for obvious reasons, but in the days ahead the focus will shift to the City Council's 'unfit for purpose' WPBR pay scheme.

 

Get A Grip, Cordia! 2 (02/03/18) 

Well here's some encouraging news - a straightforward, uninhibited response from Cllr Elspeth Kerr who says she absolutely agrees that Cordia staff should not have to take annual leave or unpaid leave as a result of the recent Glasgow school shutdown.

Well said Elspeth!

All I can add is to say 'Good For You' for taking such a firm, no nonsense stand and I hope that you get full backing from the rest of your group on Monday!

Hi Mark

I absolutely agree that staff should not have to take time as holiday or unpaid or put themselves in danger getting to work. I am going to bring it up at our group meeting on Monday.

Kind regards

Cllr Elspeth Kerr

Ward 14 Drumchapel/Anniesland

 

Get A Grip, Cordia! (02/03/180

Here's an interesting message I received a short time ago via Twitter from a regular reader in Glasgow.

Mark 

My mother in law is a janitor/cleaner for Cordia. She made it in on wed, didnt go in thurs as nursery was closed. Her line manager phoned her at home,demanding to know why she didnt turn up at nearest school. She told her she needs to take annual leave as a result.

K

Well my advice is not to agree to take annual leave or unpaid leave on a voluntary basis.

In the employee's shoes, I would advise the Cordia manager that I want to raise a grievance over their instruction as it seems unfair and unreasonable given the terrible weather conditions.

As well as being completely at odds to the way in which the Council's teaching staff are treated. 

And you know what, reasonable people who read my blog seem to agree! 

Absolutely shocking and total disregard of their staff who work so hard and are as much part of the staff team as the Head Teacher

C


Exactly Mark could you imagine a teacher walking to school to sit in an empty classroom but our cleaners have been told to sit in a cold empty school honest you couldn't make it up x

F

 

What Are You Thinking, Cordia? (02/3/18)

I've heard several reports from Cordia staff employed in Glasgow's schools that during the terrible weather of the last couple of days they have still been instructed to turn up for work.

Now I can't really believe this because Glasgow City Council announced very early on Wednesday morning that all schools and nurseries would be closed out of concern for the safety of students, parents and staff.

So if all the schools and nurseries are closed, why in the name of God were school cleaners and so on not being advised to stay at home?

Even worse are stories of staff being instructed to either take annual leave or a day's unpaid leave if they are not prepared to turn up to work at an empty school - how foolish does that make Cordia look?

If anyone is penalised financially for not turning up at work when their school is closed, please let me know - in confidence, of course.

Can anyone imagine a school teacher being treated in this way?

Of course not, so why should other staff put up with such nonsense.

 

Calling Glasgow! (02/03/18)

I have just sent this email to all elected councillors in Glasgow given the comments I've read on Facebook and Twitter.

If readers have examples of non-teaching staff being told to turn up for work to empty schools and nurseries when all Glasgow's schools and nurseries have been closed, let me have the details - in confidence, of course.

Likewise if staff have been told to take annual leave or unpaid leave - which amounts to a ridiculous and completely unreasonable punishment, if you ask me.

Dear Councillor

Glasgow's Schools

I thought you would be interested in the following post from my blog site regarding the very different ways in which teaching and other support staff are being treated in Glasgow's school during the terrible weather conditions of the past few days.

I will be posting again on my blog later today in response to comments from readers via the blog site, email, Facebook and Twitter: www.action4equalityscotland.blogspot.com

Kind regards

Mark Irvine 

 

What Are You Thinking, Cordia?

I've heard several reports from Cordia staff employed in Glasgow's schools that during the terrible weather of the last couple of days they have still been instructed to turn up for work.

Now I can't really believe this because Glasgow City Council announced very early on Wednesday morning that all schools and nurseries would be closed out of concern for the safety of students, parents and staff.

So if all the schools and nurseries are closed, why in the name of God were school cleaners and so on not being advised to stay at home?

Even worse are stories of staff being instructed to either take annual leave or a day's unpaid leave if they are not prepared to turn up to work at an empty school - how foolish does that make Cordia look?

If anyone is penalised financially for not turning up at work when their school is closed, please let me know - in confidence, of course.

Can anyone imagine a school teacher being treated in this way?

Of course not, so why should other staff put up with such nonsense.