According to a Freedom of Information request lodged by the biggest employment union UNISON, between the beginning of 2019 and September 2022, Derby City Council spent £1,575,967 in legal fees fighting pay disputes with employees.

UNISON estimates the Council have therefore spent more defending allegations and avoiding Tribunals, than if they had settled outright with the claimants.

The claims relate to approximately 150 former and current female workers - most of whom were in low paid positions - and originate from a time before 2014, when the council paid bonuses or other supplements to those in roles predominantly held by men.

Some of the claims date back to 2012, although most are from between 2017 and 2018.

Emma Roberts, the East Midlands Regional Organiser for UNISON stated:

"For all the claimants I've met, they feel justice hasn't been done for them or their families. All those years they worked hard, they were underpaid and undervalued. For those that continue to work within the authority, it means they feel particularly undervalued and for those who have left, it's frustrating at the very least.”

Becky Everett, UNISON Derby City Branch Secretary, added:

"As a claimant myself, I can tell you how hard me and my colleagues worked to deliver front line public services while being paid less than men doing the same work.”

It is estimated that claims could take up to a year to settle if they don’t reach a full employment tribunal first, as equal pay claims are complex and it is not uncommon for them to take many years to resolve. However, Emma Roberts added:

"Many equal pay claims have been pursued against local authorities nationally from the early 2000s, and virtually all of them are now concluded, so the claimants are asking 'why do Derby City Council not feel that it owes it too?”

A spokesperson for Derby City Council said:

"We note the statement from UNISON in relation to this matter. The equal pay dispute has been a long running matter between the council and UNISON, with both parties represented by legal advisers……While the council remains committed to resolving the dispute, the matter remains the subject of ongoing legal proceedings in the employment tribunal and it would therefore be inappropriate for the council to make any further comment at the current time."