Local government HR directors working in London could be forgiven for quaking in their shoes with the news that controversial no-win no-fee lawyer Stefan Cross is heading southwards.
The MJ reports that the Newcastle-based solicitor has started advertising in the capital for equal pay cases to take on.
Cross has become somewhat of a hate figure among trade unionists in the local government sector because of his appetite to take on these kinds of claims and his pursuit of workers, mainly women, in signing up to his firm.
Cross has mainly operated in the North East of England and Scotland, with considerable success in winning compensation for female council employees who have historically been underpaid.
Unions hate him because they see him encroaching on their territory and concentrating solely on winning compensation rather than brokering equal pay deals for the future.
Employers hate him - accusing Cross of delaying the signing of deals and not serving any useful purpose".
In response, Cross accuses unions of protecting themselves and employers of dragging their feet in agreeing settlements.
With Cross claiming he has already received interest from workers across London and the South East, it promises to be interesting times ahead for HR professionals in those councils.
