Equal pay news for council staff

The law aims to compensate low-paid, mainly female staff

Thousands of Aberdeenshire Council workers are to be told how they will be affected by equal pay legislation, BBC Scotland understands.

It is hoped there will be no repeat of last year's protests at Aberdeen City Council after some members of staff were told their salaries would be cut.

The council will hold negotiations with its workers and unions over the plans.

The law aims to give equal pay for equal work across the gender divide as well as among manual and office staff.

About 11,000 people working for the council will be sent letters later in the week.

However, the public sector union Unison said it was not yet convinced the offer met the equality legislation and raised concerns over its members' terms and conditions.

BBC Scotland understands that an independent assessor ordered aspects of the deal to be revised.