"Morrisons shop workers win key step in equal pay battle", 20 January 2025.

Morrisons workers have made a major step forward in their equal pay case, following a judgment handed by the Employment Tribunal.

The latest judgement has seen the tribunal decide what tasks are included in the job description for shop and warehouse workers. The finalised job descriptions will now be used by independent experts to score the roles based on key factors such as experience, responsibility, and working conditions.

It marks the conclusion of the final Stage 2 Equal Value hearing, held at Leeds Employment Tribunal in late 2024. A date for the third and final stage – Stage 3 Material Factors Defence, which considers whether there would be justifiable reasons, not related to pay, for the pay differences – has not yet been listed.

It comes as the latest stage in Morrisons legal battle with over 7,520 workers, in which the supermarket chain’s predominantly female shopworkers argue they should be given equal pay, in line with its mainly male warehouse workers, who operate Morrisons’ distribution centres.

Leigh Day partner and joint head of employment Emma Satyamurti said: “The latest judgment represents a critical step forward in the journey toward pay equality for Morrisons shop workers.

“It underscores the commitment of our clients to having their contributions properly valued, particularly when compared to their counterparts in distribution roles. Ensuring that the job descriptions are comprehensive and accurate is a pivotal part of the equal pay process.”

Satyamurti added: “Our clients can take great pride in achieving a favourable outcome on crucial aspects of the roles under scrutiny. This decision brings them one step closer to achieving the recognition and fairness they deserve for the vital work they do. We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting them through every stage of this landmark case.”...