Thousands of low-paid women working across Birmingham City Council services are to receive long-overdue payments, says UNISON today.
UNISON, GMB and Birmingham City Council have signed an agreement to settle historic equal pay claims brought by the two unions on behalf of women employed by the council and Birmingham Children’s Trust.
It means women delivering essential services to the city, in roles such as teaching assistants, catering staff and care workers, will receive significant amounts of money they are owed and deserve.
The employees will be compensated for wages they missed out on as a result of being underpaid for many years, when compared to male colleagues doing work of equal value.
UNISON Birmingham branch secretary Caroline Johnson said: “The members, stewards and Branch Officer have been campaigning over fair pay for equal work since 2008. It is what every employee deserves.
This victory for low-paid and women workers will put an end to any sort of pay discrimination in Birmingham City Council and associated employers.
It’s a reminder that when union members stand together to demand fairness, real change can happen”.
UNISON West Midlands regional manager Claire Campbell said: “Many of these women have spent years delivering vital public services, all while being undervalued and underpaid.
“This recognition and the payments due have been a long time coming. This money will make a real difference to the lives of those affected.
“UNISON has a proud record of fighting for pay justice, and this agreement is a significant step forward in tackling long-standing wage inequality at Birmingham City Council.”