Birmingham school staff walk out in long-running row over equal pay
Hundreds of staff members at 35 schools across Birmingham are on strike today in a row over equal pay.
Last updated 23rd Sep 2024
Hundreds of school support staff in Birmingham are walking out today as part of a long-running row over equal pay between men and women.
Around 1,500 staff members - including teaching assistants, catering staff, and grounds workers - at 35 schools in the city are downing tools.
In June 2023, it emerged Birmingham City Council was facing an unequal pay bill worth £760m. Councillors effectively declared bankruptcy the following September.
The GMB Union, whose members are striking today, said: “These workers have been pushed to the brink.
“Workers across our city are feeling the pinch, unable to pay their bills, rents, and mortgages.
"Meanwhile Birmingham City Council continue to drag their heels on paying them the money they’re owed.
“This strike will have a huge impact on local schools; partial or full closures could be on the horizon. We need to see progress on settling our members claims from Council bosses, and soon”.
Birmingham City Council said: "The council has been engaging with GMB and UNISON for many years on equal pay. A new approach to job evaluation to settle Birmingham’s equal pay issues once and for all was agreed with the Trades Unions in October 2023.
"The council is keen to work together with our recognised unions to explore solutions, as it remains committed to resolving historic equal pay issues and settling all legitimate claims from our employees."
The schools impacted are:
- Arden Primary School
- Beeches Junior School
- Benson Community School
- Boldmere Infants and Nursery School
- Bordesley Green East Nursery School
- Bordesley Green Primary School
- Chad Vale Primary School
- Cherry Orchard Primary School
- Chilcote Primary School
- Clifton Primary School
- Colmore Infant and Nursery School
- Elms Farm Primary School
- Forestdale Primary School
- George Dixon Primary School
- Gunter Primary School
- Harborne Primary School
- Hodge Hill Girls School
- Jakeman Nursery School
- James Watt Primary School
- Kings Heath Primary School
- Lozells Junior and Infant School
- Marsh Hill Nursery
- Minworth Junior and Infant School
- Nelson Mandela School
- Newtown Nursery School
- Redhill Primary School
- St. Benedicts Infants
- St. James C E Primary School Handsworth
- Stanville Primary School
- Wheelers Lane Primary School
- Worlds End Junior School
- Yardley Primary School
- Yardley Wood Community Primary School
- Yorkmead Junior and Infants School