Member Article

Womens’ equal pay dispute with Sunderland Council continues

Sunderland City Council has lost the latest round of a long-running equal pay dispute, which could see workers get a multi-million pound payout.

The Court of Appeal upheld the decision of Newcastle Employment Tribunal, which found that bonus payments of up to 50% for road sweepers, refuse workers and gardeners discriminated against more than 1,000 female cleaners, care workers, cooks and administrative assistants.

In a statement, Sue Stanhope, director of Human Resources and Organisational Development at Sunderland City Council, said: “This employment tribunal case has not been concluded.

“This Court of Appeal decision relates to only one part of an ongoing three-part case, called Brennan and others.

“The city council is now considering this judgement. The other parts of the employment tribunal case are ongoing.

“There is no final or definitive figure for any possible compensation that the City Council may have to meet. Any subsequent compensation will require a remedies hearing.”

Paul Doran, of Stefan Cross Solicitors Limited, who acted for the women, said: “This is another important step on the long road of achieving justice for my clients.

“It is appalling that during these times of austerity the Council continues to incur huge legal costs by trying to defend the indefensible.

“The simple fact remains that we are now well into the 21st Century yet this huge employer in the North-East continues to treat women as second class citizens.”

He added that a Grade 4 Care Assistant working 30 hours a week could be in line for a total payment of £60,000 at the conclusion of the case.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .