Hundreds of low-paid staff at Southampton City Council, most of them women, are set to benefit from an equal pay settlement, according to public sector unions.
After negotiations between the council and UNISON, Unite and GMB, a settlement has been reached that promises to benefit 800 social care, administrative, school and housing staff.
For years, these workers had been effectively paid less than waste and refuse collectors despite being in the same grade because of the use of ‘task and finish’, the unions argued.
‘Task and finish’ is a practice which allows some workers – particularly refuse collection staff – to leave work once they finish their tasks, a benefit not available to other staff members.
Southampton City Council ended the use of this practice in January 2024 and has agreed to offer eligible council workers payments to resolve their claims.
A Southampton City Council spokesperson said: 'We are committed to implementing changes, new ways of working and learnings from this situation to create a sustainable and transformative council. As an employer we are reviewing all of our working arrangements and processes to ensure that fairness and equality are central to everything we do.'
