GLASGOW’S long-running equal pay dispute is finally over after councillors formally approved a compensation deal for claimants.
Last month, the council and the equal pay claimant group - represented by Action4Equality, UNISON, GMB and UNITE - reached an agreement in principle on a package of payments worth at least £500 million.
Today, the council's City Administration Committee backed the deal, setting in train a process expected to see workers receive details of their individual entitlements over the next few months and compensation paid from this summer.
READ MORE: Glasgow City Council signs off on £548m deal for almost 16,000 workers
The women are expected to start receiving their payments, which will average £34,000 and could be as high as £100,000, in June.
The Evening Times has been inundated with messages of support for all those who fought a tough battle and emerged victorious.
IN PICTURES: Hundreds of women celebrate as £500m equal pay deal gets official go-ahead
Denise Kelly said: “Congratulations to all you women affected! Brilliant fight and you never stopped the pace, you're a shining example for every woman in the same boat.”
Nan Graham wrote on our Facebook page: “Absolutely brilliant. It's not easy taking on the big wigs, so to win it was tremendous. Well done, ladies. Enjoy your cash.”
Catherine Brown added: “Well done to all the ladies. Hard fought and well deserved.”
“Well done to everyone. Duly deserved,” wrote Marion Stewart.
READ MORE: Glasgow City Council to sell assets to its own property firm to fund £500m deal
Council leader Susan Aitken said in a statement: “I’m delighted to have won backing for a deal that finally delivers pay justice for thousands of women in our workforce.
“When I became council leader in 2017, I promised I'd bring to an end more than a decade of inaction on equal pay.
“A year ago, we began negotiations and, today, the council formally agreed a plan to pay women at Glasgow City Council what they are owed.
“That starts to put right a wrong that has damaged the council, its workforce and the city for too long.
“I want to thank the women for their determination; their dedication to the city and its people, and for trusting me to deliver what they have always deserved.”
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