About Close the Gap
Close the Gap works across Scotland with those who can influence the pay gap as well as those who are affected by it.
We work with trade unions to promote positive action to address pay gaps in individual workplaces. We work with businesses to support them in identifying and addressing issues with pay and progression within their organisations.
The Gender Pay Gap
Women in Scotland working full-time earn 14% less than men and women working part-time earn a shocking 33% less per hour than men’s full-time hourly rate. (Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2008) The gender pay gap is bad for women, bad for business, and bad for Scotland’s economy. The pay gap is a contributing factor to women’s and children’s higher levels of poverty and women’s pensioner poverty. It also impacts on household earnings and men’s earnings when they work in jobs with high levels of female workers.
How does Close the Gap work with trade unions?
The trade union movement has been at the forefront of the campaign for equal pay, and this commitment is reflected in the positive way in which individual trade unions have worked with Close the Gap. Close the Gap has carried out awareness-raising activity; held events on equal pay for trade union officials and reps; trained over 100 equal pay reps at weekend schools; worked with unions and employers in individual companies to achieve equal pay outcomes; and has produced toolkits for workplace reps.
Want to know more?
If you want to know more about Close the Gap or if you would like Close the Gap’s support on a piece of work to address pay gaps, please contact us at: info@closethegap.org.uk