Council abandons equal pay appeal

The path to justice and compensation has been cleared for hundreds of UNISON members today as Edinburgh City Council abandoned its defence of long running equal pay claims for ex APT&C staff.

The Council has abandoned its plans to appeal against the right of ex APT&C staff to make equal pay claims. Through Thompson's solicitors, UNISON is representing over 1,000 affected people. They are consulting those involved members will hear more details very soon.


 Private solicitors Stephan Cross have apparently accepted a deal from the Council on for 400 ex APT&C staff they are representing. UNISON has been pursuing over 1100 claims for low paid women but many payments had been delayed by the council's intention to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court in London.

Peter Hunter, UNISON Regional Organiser said: "The council's decision to abandon the Supreme Court appeal is another equal pay triumph for low paid women in UNISON. UNISON has been championing this specific issue in the Supreme Court for some time and we are delighted our huge investment has paid off. The council's claim that women and men can be treated differently if they work in different council buildings was a fairly desperate defence. The time-wasting and delay must stop now - our members deserve justice. Lord knows they've waited long enough."

"Hundreds of councils across the UK have been stalling on equality for women in the hope that work location or other trivia might be a defence for discrimination. This ruling has major implications and will be a welcome boost for workers whose wages are being attacked left, right and centre"