Equal pay claim

Public services union UNISON has lodged an equal pay claim on behalf of nearly 1,000 teaching assistants employed by Lancashire County Council. It claims that their work is of equal value to that of male comparators in the environment directorate. The union says it is the largest equal value pay claim in Europe, and could be worth nearly £10 million a year in pay increases for the school support staff. UNISON has stayed the employment tribunal application since the council has agreed to negotiate over re-grading of school support staff.