Trade union Unison has said progress is being made in its ongoing dispute with Birmingham City Council over pay.
The union is now consulting with members after two weeks of negotiations between representatives from Unison and the council.
‘It is a very mixed package,’ said branch secretary Caroline Johnson. ‘There is more money on the table, and those members who will see their pay improved will welcome that.
‘But, there are some stings in the deal. Even with the extended pay protection, staff will still lose as their salaries are frozen with inflation at 4.1%.’
Regional secretary, Valerie Broom, said: ‘Our negotiators have made great progress over the last two weeks, especially in helping lower-paid members of the council workforce, but there is still a long way to go.’
Around 3,000 staff at Swansea CC have been offered a settlement over equal pay, and a series of signing days are being held this month.
‘We are continuing to make good progress in offering staff equal pay settlements,’ said a council spokesman. ‘The signing days have been well attended.’
Coventry City Council looks set to appeal against an equal pay tribunal. The cabinet has voted to go ahead with the appeal, but the final decision was due to be taken by full council after The MJ went to press.
Unison has won an equal pay case for more than 5,000 Northern Ireland school cleaners.
The women are all covered by a job-evaluation scheme negotiated the Education and Library Boards in 2002.
‘Unison has been arguing this case for many years,’ said regional secretary, Patricia McKeown.
‘This is justice, at least for thousands of women who carry out a vital job in the education service.’
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