WOMEN council workers fighting for equal pay will start their legal battle before an employment tribunal in Glasgow next week.

Six staff with Glasgow City Council are to fight a test case on behalf of 40-50 other claimants, which could determine the outcome of thousands of women's equal pay cases against the authority.

Some 35,000 equal pay claims had been made against public authorities in Scotland, which could end up costing councils more than £1billion.

The test case, being brought on behalf of cleaners, home carers, dinner ladies, bus escorts, special needs drivers and other predominantly low-paid manual jobs, is the first to reach this stage of an employment tribunal after several preliminary hearings.

The women will argue they are entitled to be paid the same as men employed in comparable jobs that the council's job evaluation scheme has rated as equivalent.

Carol Fox, head of litigation (Scotland) with Stefan Cross Solicitors, who is representing the six women, said "This hearing is of significant importance for 5000 Glasgow City Council women employees with similar claims."

It will be argued that additional bonus payments to some men mean they can be earning up to 50% or even more, per hour, than women.

If successful, the women can be awarded compensation for the pay shortfall dating back five years from the date they complained and up to the time the matter is determined.

A number of cases date back to 2005, meaning in the event of success, compensation could be awarded for nine years' of pay shortages.

The case will start on Monday and is scheduled to last two weeks.