Workers win share of £3.5m equal pay award

Some 500 workers employed by St Helens Council on Merseyside have received collectively £3.5m after their union, GMB, lodged a successful claim for equal pay.

The case has been ongoing for years as St Helens Council took the case to an employment tribunal, the Employment Appeal Tribune and the Court of Appeal.

St Helens Council is now not proceeding with the case with GMB now claiming victory for tis members.

GMB regional general secretary Paul McCarthy said: “This is a huge victory for GMB members at St Helens Council – and for equal rights in general.

“The authority used every legal argument they could to avoid paying out but after years of wasting everyone’s time they failed.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Simpsons Solicitors who took on the case and will pass on 100% of the compensation – without taking a penny of members’ settlement.

“GMB will always fight inequality in the workplace on behalf of our members where ever we find it.”

St Helens Council have declined to comment.