Workers to ballot for potential strike action at Birmingham City Council

GMB Union have today announced that they will ballot thousands of workers across Birmingham City Council for strike action over ongoing pay discrimination.

The ballot comes as the union escalates calls for full and fair compensation for the sex discrimination faced by women working for the Labour-led local authority.

The union made their feelings known at the Queen’s Baton Relay finishing line last month, where 20 GMB members took part in a peaceful demonstration.

The trade union believes that Birmingham council’s job evaluation scheme undervalues the work of those in jobs predominantly done by women, such as teaching assistants, cleaners and catering staff.

GMB survey in June this year revealed one in five Birmingham council workers are having to rely on food banks to feed their families.

Last month, the trade union called upon Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council to “urgently intervene” in pay disputes. Members will now receive their ballots next week and will have until September 2 to have their say on whether to take strike action.

Michelle McCrossen, GMB Union Organiser, said: “Every single day, thousands of women and men across Birmingham are going to work and being underpaid because of the council’s failure to value their work properly and fairly.

“These are the workers who help educate and feed our children, clean their schools, and keep Britain’s second city running, who are struggling to make ends meet because of Birmingham city council’s discriminatory pay policies.

“The council’s priorities are out of order. It can’t be right that saving the Brummie Bull commands more action and attention from the council leadership than settling equal pay.

“Birmingham City Council’s shameful history of sex discrimination has already cost the city hundreds of millions of pounds and forced them to sell off city assets, and their failure to fix the problem means that bill is growing by the day.

“With the Commonwealth Games now drawing to a close we will not accept any more delays and distractions, and that’s why we’re balloting our members for action.

“It’s time for Birmingham City Council to grab the equal pay bull by the horns and settle this, once and for all.”

Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City council, said: “I am urging the council and GMB to get around the table and resolve this matter as quickly as possible.”

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “The council has been engaging with GMB on matters of equal pay since November 2021, and have already agreed a new approach to job evaluation.

“The council would encourage GMB to explore solutions working together, as it is committed to resolving historic equal pay issues, and has already settled with the majority of trade union members following a previous agreement.”