Female council workers in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, are set for a bumper payout after settling an equal pay claim against their employer.
Cleaners, cooks, catering assistants, support workers and home helps are all set for a bonus worth up to £8,000 in a settlement which will cost Argyll and Bute Council about £4m.
However, unions representing the council workers said the bill for equal pay could eventually cost the local council up to £11m.
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A full-time catering/cleaning assistant with more than five years’ service will receive £6,600 and a manual worker working between 32 and 37 hours a week will get £7,200.
The offer has still to be agreed by the full council on January 19. It is up to each individual to decide whether they accept or reject the offer.