More than 1,000 staff across 35 schools in Birmingham have walked out today over equal pay claims.
1,500 school support workers, including teaching assistants and maintenance staff, are on strike because they have “had enough” of Birmingham City Council delaying the settlement of their claims.
The industrial action has been organised by the GMB union to coincide with Sats exam week.
The “Birmingham Pay Justice” campaign began in 2021, and the union say 3,000 claims have been made to them by women employed by the council.
1,500 school support workers, including teaching assistants and maintenance staff, are on strike
GB News
Announcing the strike action in April, GMB Organiser, Alice Reynolds, said: “Almost a year since Council bosses admitted an equal pay bill as high as £760million, not one single woman worker has received the money they're owed.
"Birmingham City Council owe GMB members money after years of stolen wages, the equal pay crisis only ends when our members claims are settled.
"Taking strike action is always a last resort, but these workers have had enough of council delays and broken promises.”
Birmingham City Council was forced to issue a section 114 notice last year, effectively declaring bankruptcy, after it was found they still owed more than £700m in equal pay liabilities.
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The industrial action has been organised by the GMB union to coincide with Sats exam week
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A figure which was rising up to £14m every month.
Back in 2012, the Supreme Court found hundreds of female employees working in roles such as teaching assistants and cleaners missed out on bonuses which were given to staff in male-dominated jobs like refuse collection.
The Council has since paid out £1.1billion and has been trying to reach a settlement with GMB, Unison and Unite over the latest claims, signing an addendum setting out a pay equity plan back in October.
Speaking to GB News at a demonstration outside the council building today, one worker on strike said: “I’m quite angry, we want to teach our future generations equality and everything should be equal, but we’re not getting that right now.”
The “Birmingham Pay Justice” campaign began in 2021, and the union say 3,000 claims have been made to them by women employed by the council
GB News
Another added: “It’s been going on since 2003, it should have been sorted by now.
"Just recognise us as a profession, as teaching assistants, and give us the equal pay that we deserve.”
A council spokesperson said: “The council has been engaging with GMB on matters of equal pay since November 2021, and following the further agreement made with the Trades Unions in October 2023, has begun work on a new approach to job evaluation to settle Birmingham's equal pay issues once and for all.
“The council would encourage GMB to explore solutions working together, as it remains committed to resolving historic equal pay issues, and settling all legitimate claims from our employees."