The women range from Grade D and Grade C nurses to catering assistants, clerical officers, sewing machine assistants, porters and telephonists. They compared their pay with that of craftsmen/joiners, building labourers/wall washers, works officers, craftsmeen supervisors and maintenance assistants.
UNISON started the action in 1997. There are further cases in the pipeline. The employment tribunal is expected to hold a further hearing in the case in Newcastle in November.
UNISON National Secretary Karen Jennings, said: