Thousands of women are set to launch an equal pay claim against Sheffield City Council today.
The GMB union said the council’s job evaluation scheme meant those in female-dominated roles, including cleaners, care managers and teaching assistants, were being underpaid.
The union said it found that the higher pay grade of a night noise officer compared with a senior teaching assistant resulted in an annual pay difference of £11,383.
GMB senior organiser Sue Wood said: ‘What we have uncovered in Sheffield is truly scandalous.
‘The council are using a rotten job allocation scheme that actively discriminates against its female workforce and opens up thousands of potential equal pay claims.’
Sheffield City Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Fran Belbin, said: ‘We have had this scheme in place since 2010 and it includes an appeals process. Any member of staff can request a review if they believe their grade is not correct.
‘We encourage members of staff to raise any concerns about equal pay with us, so we can review and address if necessary.’
Update (25 September): Cllr Belbin has said: ‘The leader of Sheffield City Council, Tom Hunt, and I met with representatives from the GMB Union this afternoon, as we are keen to listen and understand the points that they have raised today.
‘The conversation was positive and constructive. We are now waiting for GMB to share with us full details of their concerns.’
