HUNDREDS of council workers in Glasgow were today given the go-ahead to take their two-year equal pay battle to a tribunal.

The decision means they could eventually share a windfall of almost £1million compensation.

Council chiefs had tried to block more than 300 low-paid women from having their claims for compensation heard at an employment tribunal.

Council bosses tried to prevent them going to tribunals two years ago by offering them each around £9000. At a tribunal they could expect at least £20,000.

Senior officials at Glasgow City Council linked up with a number of other councils across Scotland to try to stop around 5000 workers from taking their battle before a tribunal.

However, union leaders of the GMB and the T&GWU lodged collective grievances last October on behalf of members, mostly cleaners and catering staff.

They wanted the employment tribunal service to rule on a technicality, with councils wanting cases "kicked out" because the unions had failed to name every member they were acting for.

Ten local authorities were party to what's become known as the "Highland Test Case" including Glasgow City Council and the councils of East and West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, Inverclyde and East Ayrshire.

Today it was revealed the objection had been thrown out.

In a written judgment, hearing chairwoman Flora Carmichael said the councils had "attempted to create the kind of undue technicality and over-sophistication which the courts have expressly stated were to be guarded against".

Alex McLuckie of the GMB said: "This case represents another failed attempt by local government employers to thwart the progress our members' equal pay claims.

"It's about time the employers and their solicitors started devoting their energies to tackling the serious inequalities being suffered by our members."

The council was unavailable for comment.