Staff will be offered one-off wage compensation payments

The authority said it recognises past differences in pay structures and wants to maintain good employee relations.

It highlighted the situation of home care assistants, cooks and cleaners - posts traditionally held by women - which missed out on bonus payments.

The council is writing to all employees affected to offer a one-off payment which it hopes to hand over in June.

All staff attending the June meetings will be offered legal advice to help them to decide whether to accept the offer.

SBC said it will meet the cost of the advice offered.

Favourable terms

In a statement the authority said it believed the terms of the offer compared very favourably with deals accepted in other parts of Scotland.

The value of the offers will depend upon the weekly hours and length of service of individual employees.

The council will pay all income tax and national insurance on the settlements.

SBC said it hopes all staff will wait until they have received their compensation offer and received legal advice before deciding whether or not to accept the deal.