The GMB union is satisfied with the outcome of an employment tribunal that could cost a local authority hundreds of millions of pounds.
It represented 1,400 women in their claims for equal pay against Birmingham City Council, which it won yesterday (April 27th).
According to a statement, lawyers estimate the level of award to be in the region of £30 million for its clients.
Female staff with the city council, such as cleaners and care assistants, were paid significantly less than "equivalently graded" male staff working in jobs like road sweeping, refuse collection and road maintenance .
Although both men and women received the same basic pay, 160 per cent bonuses were given to male employees only.
GMB national secretary Brian Strutton suggested that the authority had known this for years and failed to act on the issue, adding that it had tried "every trick in the book" to delay any decision.
Council member for equalities and human resources Alan Rudge said that "consideration" was being given to an appeal.
By Cameron Thomsen
