The E-Tu Union says from midnight, the celebrations will begin for 55,000 care and support workers in aged care, disability services and home support.

These are workers included in the historic Equal Pay Settlement which has resulted in one of the biggest increases in pay for any group of workers in New Zealand history.

Kristine Bartlett, who took the Equal Pay case which resulted in this Settlement, says many of her co-workers are overjoyed while for others the reality has yet to sink in.

John Ryall of E Tu says the 2.06 billion dollar settlement is going to deliver a real pay increase for 55,000 workers.