Tribunal rejects Birmingham council's fair pay appeal

Birmingham Council could face a bill of millions after the tribunal ruling

A council's appeal against a landmark ruling over fair pay, which could cost it millions of pounds in back pay, has been dismissed.

Birmingham City Council went to the Employment Appeal Tribunal after the original tribunal ruled it discriminated against female workers.

The union Unison said the women were now of closer to getting the equal pay compensation they deserved.

The council said it was disappointed with the decision.

Unions previously estimated the ruling could cost the council up to £80m in back pay to the women, who worked as cleaners, cooks, care assistants and caretakers.

The female workers, thought to number up to 5,000, said they were discriminated against over bonuses paid to male workers on the same pay grade.

The council has said it had done enough to address the outdated system.

A spokesman previously said the authority had since introduced a revised pay and grading structure in line with the Equal Opportunity Commission's guidelines.

The council said it would review the full details of the decision before deciding whether to pursue the matter further.

Tony Rabaiotti of Unison said the council should make it a priority to ensure women workers do not wait a day longer for the money they are due.