William Eichler 05 October 2022

Council spends £1.5m fighting equal pay claims

Council spends £1.5m fighting equal pay claims image
Image: nampix/Shutterstock.com.

Derby City Council has spent over £1.5m defending itself against equal pay claims, a freedom of information (FOI) request has revealed.

The UNISON FOI found that the council has spent £1,575,967 in legal fees to fight pay claims made by 200 mostly female workers who argue they were paid less than men.

The union’s solicitors calculated that the council has spent more on legal fees than it would have cost to settle all the claims outright.

UNISON Derby City branch secretary Becky Everett said: ‘As a claimant myself, I can tell you how hard me and my colleagues worked to deliver front line public services while being paid less than men doing the same work.

‘Claimants have died waiting for the council to pay them what they’re owed. We just want the council to recognise their historic unequal pay, do the right thing and settle this now.’

A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: ‘While the council remains committed to resolving the dispute, the matter remains the subject of ongoing legal proceedings in the Employment Tribunal and it would therefore be inappropriate for the council to make any further comment at the current time.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner