An equal pay deal has been struck with Glasgow City Council meaning all planned strikes have been suspended.
Trade unions have hailed the 'fantastic news' that will see lawyers now enter into legal discussions over the financial settlement of member's equal pay.
Council leader Susan Aitken wrote to the trade unions on Tuesday night to say the local authority 'remains committed' to reaching a settlement that has the same basis as the 2019 deal.
Strikes planned for March 29 and 30 were previously called off after a last-minute offer from the council and further talks.
Thousands of workers were set to walk out on 20 and 21 April but that action has now been suspended while a financial deal that will 'end equal pay injustice' is agreed.
Payments to workers who have suffered from discrimination due to its pay and grading system are targeted to begin in October 2022.
Ms Aitken added: "We are targeting a payment in October. We know that this momentum needs to be kept up in the weeks and months ahead so that a settlement and payment can be made quickly.'
UNISON Glasgow City Branch has written to their member to say: “The industrial dispute objectives were to force the council to maintain the 2019 deal and agree to make further payments in an acceptable timescale. These objectives have been secured. As stated previously, these were only won because trade union members were prepared to take strike action. Well done again to all UNISON members and to our sister trade unions.
"The strike action planned for 20/21 April will therefore not go ahead. However, the UNISON strike ballot remains “live” under current UK law and we will be closely monitoring the progress to deliver further payments as agreed by the Leader of the Council.”
UNISON's Scottish secretary Tracey Dalling commented: “This is fantastic news I want to congratulate every one of the women involved in this struggle to end pay injustice. Particularly UNISON’s hard-working low paid women who have been resolute to the end. It is simply unacceptable that women were forced to take their fight all the way to the brink of strike action.
"However we now seem to have reached agreement, there is still hard work to do, but this is good news for everyone across Glasgow.”
Mandy McDowall, UNISON regional organiser for Glasgow said: “This agreement was only possible because UNISON members were prepared to take significant action to end pay injustice.
"All further industrial action is suspended in good faith as we are optimistic we can find a resolution. However, the dispute will remain live should legal discussions falter. UNISON members will not hesitate to strike again should we need to.”
