 Cleaners and care workers could win up to �24,000 |
Some female council workers in Cumbria could receive up to �20,000 each if union officials win an equal pay tribunal, due to start on Monday. Unions lodged claims for about 2,000 women saying male road workers with Cumbria County Council were paid more for comparable work.
The men were paid overtime and bonus payments of up to �3,000, according to the GMB and Unison unions.
Unions claim the case could eventually cost the authority up to �30m.
Staff involved include care workers, cooks and cleaners at schools and homes for the elderly.
Ongoing loss
A spokesman for the GMB union said: "Should we win this case it will mean that people will receive life-changing amounts of money.
"In some cases a care worker could, if successful, receive �24,000 back pay and any ongoing loss until an agreement is reached."
Cumbria County Council said it could not comment ahead of the tribunal, which was taking place in Carlisle, and could last several weeks.
Earlier this year hundreds of female hospital workers in Cumbria won a similar equal pay case, which saw some receive up to �200,000 each in compensation.
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