07 March 2003
Almost 1,000 teaching assistants made legal history this week when their union lodged the biggest equal pay claim to be made in Europe.
Unison has lodged the claim with an employment tribunal in Manchester, although it has been 'stayed' to allow the union to negotiate with Lancashire County Council, which employs the women.
The union has argued that the assistants should be paid the same as men in comparable jobs and the claim could mean pay rises of 40%, costing the council £10m.
Unison national secretary for local government Heather Wakefield said school support staff were among the most undervalued in local government.
She said: 'These equal pay claims demonstrate the need for local authorities to carry out urgent pay audits and bring the pay structures into line with the Equal Pay Act.
'By taking this case, Unison is demonstrating its commitment to attacking the gender pay gap and we will pursue further cases on behalf of all groups of women staff.'
The majority of the assistants earn less than £8,000 a year.
PFmar2003
