Equal pay claims progress

Public sector union equal pay claims received a boost when the Court of Appeal ruled that claimants did not have to specify a male comparator when filing their initial equal pay grievance. The case law will affect around 7,000 claims involving nurses, healthcare assistants, clerical staff, care assistants and cleaners.

Bronwyn McKenna, UNISON’s director of organising and membership, said that common sense had prevailed. “It would be nearly impossible for women just starting their battle for equal pay to name their male comparator. Particularly given that all the information is often closely guarded by the employers.”

Cumbria County Council is negotiating an equal pay settlement with the GMB general union, worth approaching £40 million. The GMB has advised members not to accept any offer made by employers until the deal has been consulted on.

The Financial Times reported a decline in the number of equal pay claims, with 42,500 cases between April 2008 and February 2009, compared to 63,000 in the full year 2007-08. The Equality and Human Rights Commission had warned of a surge in litigation. The drop-off may be attributable to insecurity in the recession, lawyers believe.