NHS women get up to £200,000 in biggest-ever equal pay win

Public services union UNISON has agreed a massive pay award for 1,500 women working at North Cumbria Acute NHS Trust.

Claims were lodged in 1997 for 14 job categories at the trust. As reported in last month's Labour Research, three years ago a tribunal agreed that the jobs were of equal value to "comparator" jobs that were mainly done by men (see table below).

Now UNISON and the trust have agreed the size of the award. The women will get up to 14 years' difference in pay, plus interest of 50%-60%. This means they stand to receive between £35,000 and £200,000 each.

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said the award was a "fantastic result" after a "long, hard struggle".

Equal pay comparators

Applicant Comparator

grade C and D nurses medical technical officer grade 3

grade A nurse; domestic supervisor joiner

laboratory assistant; porter; switchboard operator; clerical officer; domestic assistant; sewing room assistant; cook; catering assistant; technical sterile supplies assistant maintenance assistant

cytoscreener fitter/plumber