LONDON and MANCHESTER, England, November 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
A preliminary hearing will take place today in the multi-billion pound equal pay claim at Tesco.
On 12 November, parties will appear before Employment Judge Manley at Watford Employment Tribunal, where administrative matters will be resolved. The hearing will be held in private.
Tesco Action Group will be represented by leading law firm Harcus Sinclair UK Limited which is working alongside campaigning group Pay Justice to combat continued inequality in the modern workplace. More than 8,000 workers have already signed up to pursue their claims.
The workers in Tesco Action Group claim Tesco Stores Limited breached its duty under section 66 of the Equality Act 2010 to pay them equally in comparison to men employed in comparable roles. The claim centres on store workers (who are predominantly women) who believe they have been paid up to £3 less per hour than distribution centre workers (who are predominantly men).
Harcus Sinclair UK Limited has invited Tesco to adhere to its stated commitment to equality by admitting mistakes have been made and introducing a scheme to compensate affected workers. Tesco has declined and stated it will 'vigorously defend any equal pay claims'.
Tesco Action Group is made up of current and former store workers who believe that work of equal value should be rewarded by equal pay. Workers may be eligible if they work or worked in a Tesco store in England, Scotland or Wales for hourly pay during the previous six years (five years if they work or worked in Scotland). They can find out more and register at www.equalpayaction.com.
Christine Sepahi, who worked for Tesco for over 25 years and chairs the Tesco Action Group committee, said: 'We all know that this will be a long journey but we are pleased and relieved that the process is developing. We have been delighted by the response from past and present Tesco workers to our campaign, but the more who join us the greater the impact will be. There is no place in today's society for the unequal treatment of men and women.'
Emily Fernando, of Harcus Sinclair UK Limited, said: 'While tomorrow's hearing will be held in private, in accordance with Employment Tribunal rules, it represents an important step for the thousands of current and former Tesco workers who are seeking equal pay. We look forward progressing this claim and fighting for justice on their behalf.'
For more information, please contact George Thwaites at Clearwood Communications
Email: george@clearwoodcommunications.com
Phone: +44(0)7884-117-534
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