Mark Conrad 09 August 2022

Birmingham faces fresh equal pay claims and strikes

Birmingham faces fresh equal pay claims and strikes image
Image: nito/Shutterstock.com.

The leader of Birmingham City Council has urged trade unions to engage in talks over fresh equal pay disputes – rather than ballot staff over potential strike action.

Cllr Ian Ward today urged the GMB union: ‘To get around the table and resolve this matter as quickly as possible.’

Birmingham faces a potential fresh wave of equal pay claims from women after it emerged that there are potential discrepancies in the way some council jobs have been evaluated historically.

In 2012, Birmingham said it would have to pay at least £757m to settle equal pay claims brought by mostly women who had missed out on bonuses, and it is believed the council has actually paid out more than £1bn.

But the GMB says ‘significant new information’ has emerged about how the authority evaluated staff roles. The union has advised members not to settle unresolved cases, and is threatening a ballot over potential strikes in what has been an already-disrupted summer across the public services.

The fresh problem with equal pay appears to have emerged following a recent employment tribunal, which the union believes uncovered further historical disparities between roles traditionally held by men and women.

GMB regional organiser, Michelle McCrossen, said she believed ‘thousands of workers’ could be affected and that female staff had again been underpaid.

‘We've been made aware of some documents where Birmingham City Council have conceded that their job evaluation cannot be relied upon. It's the scheme that everybody goes through…and it's supposed to eradicate any discrimination between male-dominated roles and female-dominated roles. It's our belief that there have been some male-dominated roles that are still being inflated,’ she explained.

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: ‘The council has been engaging with GMB on matters of equal pay since November 2021, and have already agreed a new approach to job evaluation. The council would encourage GMB to explore solutions working together, as it is committed to resolving historic equal pay issues, and has already settled with the majority of trade union members following a previous agreement.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner