Union bosses have said the ball is now firmly in Birmingham City Council’s court, after 20,000 workers went on strike last week.
Employees held the 24-hour action last Tuesday, to protest about plans to impose a new pay and grading structure, over which they claim they were not consulted. The strike forced the closure of 120 schools, 22 libraries and the city’s museum and art gallery.
Around 6,000 council workers also rallied outside the town hall at lunchtime and further strike action is planned for later this month. Members of Unison, Unite, GMB and the construction workers union UCATT all took part in the strike.
‘The ball is now firmly in the council’s court,’ said Unison’s regional head of local government, Tony Rabaiotti.
‘Members of Birmingham City Council workforce have voted with their feet. It is now up to the council to come back to the table with some realistic proposals.’
The union’s regional secretary, Valerie Broom, added: ‘It is an absolute disgrace that Birmingham City Council is seeking to cut its wage bill while disguising this odious scheme as an attempt to bring about equality for women within the workplace.’
The council was unavailable for comment.
l More than 1,500 staff at Argyll and Bute Council also went on strike last Tuesday over planned changes to pay structures, but the action was suspended on Thursday, following a meeting between the local authority and the trade unions.
‘I am encouraged to see these positive steps being taken and the council will return to normality as soon as possible to continue providing a quality service by our much-valued staff,’ said council leader, Dick Walsh.