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14/10/2009
Councils accused on equal pay |
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Local authorities in England have been accused of spending millions of pounds of taxpayers' money fighting equal pay claims.
A survey of 50 councils by trade union Unison found that local authorities have spent £11.5 million on cases to contest equal pay claims.
General secretary of the union Dave Prentice said the news is a "national disgrace", arguing that councils are seeking to fight against the agreement of single status pay awards to which they all agreed in 1997.
Some of the councils have disputed the claims, with a spokesperson for Cumbria County Council - claimed to be one of the worst offenders -stating there was "no financial incentive for councils to have a drawn-out legal battle".
Those living in the capital who may have an equal pay issue can speak to employment lawyers in London about their legal options.
Writing for the Guardian earlier this month, Observer columnist Ruth Sutherland said there should be mandatory pay audits "for all but the smallest companies" to ensure equal pay rules are being adhered to.
Written by Anthony Dyson
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