Pay wrangle coming to an end (From Bury Times)

Pay wrangle coming to an end

9:44am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News

A FIVE-year equal pay wrangle which has cost more than half a million pounds in legal bills is set to end.

Bury Council and the biggest town hall union, Unison, have reached a historic agreement, covering 943 claims from current and former council employees.

The women, who undertook jobs such as cleaning and cooking, were paid less than their male colleagues for doing work of equivalent value.

Hailing the agreement, Unison branch secretary Steve Morton said: “Nearly 1,000 low paid women council workers are now a big step closer to the pay justice they deserve. It is the year 2012, more than 40 years after the Equal Pay Act, and women should have the right to expect fairness.”

Council leader, Cllr Mike Connolly said: “ I hope that these settlement offers will be accepted and that we can now move on and work together, as we always have, for the good of Bury and its people.”

Tell us: Are you ready to settle? Has it been worth the wait? Call 0161-797-0365 or e-mail burynews@burytimes.co.uk