Birmingham City Council leader reacts to historic equal pay agreement
It's after the authority and unions reached an agreement to settle equal pay claims
Last updated 16th Dec 2024
Birmingham City Council’s leader has said a “historic injustice” has been brought to an end after the authority and unions reached an agreement to settle equal pay claims.
The equal pay issue was one of many plaguing the authority as it declared effective bankruptcy last September.
In the turbulent months which have followed, the council passed through an unprecedented budget with a wave of proposed cuts to local services and embarked on a recovery plan.
In a major update issued this morning, the council, UNISON and GMB announced they had reached a ‘framework agreement’ to settle the claims.
They were brought by the two unions on behalf of members working for the local authority and Birmingham Children’s Trust.
GMB said that around 6,000 predominantly women workers now look set to finally receive settlement payments four years after launching their campaign.
Formal approval for the agreement is being sought at a cabinet meeting next Tuesday (December 17).
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service today, council leader John Cotton described it as a “really important milestone” on the council’s improvement journey.
“This brings to end a historic injustice that’s existed within this organisation,” he said. “And it’s also about how we’re ensuring we’re building strong, constructive industrial relationships going forward.
“So it’s an incredibly important moment for the city council and for the services people in this city receive.”
On the agreement, he continued: “This about how this council does business as a constructive partner and is focused on getting the basics right for the people of the city.”
Cllr Cotton, who became leader in 2023, also addressed why the equal pay saga had rumbled on for so long.
“I was brought in as leader to fix a number of long-standing challenges facing this council,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been focused on since taking on that role in May of last year.
“We’ve had to engage in a whole series of really difficult decisions over the last 18 months and some really in-depth discussions in order to go forward on a number of issues, including the agreement around equal pay.”
He went on to praise council officers who worked on the negotiations and added that rebuilding industrial relations with the council was a priority when he took on the leadership role.
“The real beneficiaries of good industrial relations are the taxpayers and citizens of Birmingham because this is about how we deliver decent services in every corner of this city,” he said.
Union members gathered outside the council house today and were heard chanting for equal pay as a cabinet meeting took place inside.
Alice Reynolds, GMB Organiser, said the women of Birmingham City Council had delivered a “historic outcome”.
“This agreement would not have happened without the determination shown by low paid women workers,” she said.
“In schools, offices and workplaces across our city, GMB members have led the fight for equal pay.
“Now this framework agreement sets out a cast iron plan to settle our members’ claims.”
She added: “Pay justice for Birmingham’s women workers is something that our union has long led the fight for; today this framework agreement brings that within touching distance.”
Claire Campbell, UNISON West Midlands head of organising, added: “This is a good day for low-paid women who work at the council.
“They will at last get the pay justice they deserve.”
The full terms of the settlement are confidential.
However, the council says the cost of the settlement falls within the limit of the exceptional financial support (EFS) package agreed with the previous government in January 2024.
It adds that the council and the unions are committed to ensuring that all staff are treated fairly and paid equally.