Almost 200 women workers pursuing equal pay claims against their employer, Cumbria County Council, have accepted an offer to settle, the Cumberland News has reported.
Many more are expected to reject the deal and fight on at an employment tribunal, according to the newspaper report.
The council has tabled offers to more than 2,000 female staff, including cooks and care workers, who argued their employment terms were less favourable than male workers at the council.
Although public services union Unison advised most workers to reject the offer, the council told newspaper that 196 women have accepted so far.
