Birmingham City Council is facing a fresh strike threat from the GMB union over its handling of equal pay and job evaluations, adding to ongoing pressures from the bin strike.
The union has announced it is holding strike preparation meetings with equal pay leaders and representatives across the council, with a ballot on industrial action expected soon after the local elections on May 7.
GMB officials say they have been forced to act due to the 'slow pace' of resolving outstanding equal pay claims, though the council insists the majority of cases have been settled.
Deal Yet to Be Fully Implemented
A deal struck last year promised settlements for around 4,000 GMB members and 2,000 Unison members over pay discrimination. However, the union claims many workers are still waiting for payments and that the job evaluation process, originally due for completion in April 2025, remains only partially finished.
A GMB spokesperson said: 'We aren't going to stand by and wait for our members to be discriminated against. That's why GMB leaders across Birmingham attended a strike preparation meeting this week and are preparing for a full strike vote this spring.'
The spokesperson added: 'Some women workers have now been waiting over four years for justice, with settlement offers reaching members at a snail's pace. Even worse, the job evaluation we were promised has covered only a tiny percentage of staff. We need transparency, and our members demand their voices be heard.'
Council Response
Birmingham City Council responded by stating that the vast majority of those entitled to payments have now been paid. A spokesperson said: 'We continue to work at pace to ensure the relatively small number that remain are paid by no later than July, as per our agreement with the unions. Those outstanding are more complex claims and must be calculated correctly.'
Council leader Councillor John Cotton acknowledged the delays, saying: 'I agree this has gone on for too long. Under my leadership, Birmingham is getting to grips with historic equal pay problems that have persisted for decades. This will see the injustice of women workers being discriminated against brought to an end, and a fair pay and grading system introduced.'
The council reiterated its commitment to building a culture of openness, accountability, and respect for all employees, aiming to become a fairer and more inclusive employer.
