Union issues Coventry Council payout warning
The GMB says the council faces hundreds of equal pay claims from women after discriminatory pay practises were uncovered
The GMB Union which represents workers across Coventry City Council has warned that the authority could face an equal pay liability totalling tens of millions of pounds.
They say that the council faces hundreds of equal pay claims from women after discriminatory pay practises were uncovered.
The warning comes after talks to reach settlement in the ongoing dispute fell apart last month, with the council due in court over the issue later this month.
GMB organiser Delcan Downes said: “The city council risks sleep-walking into an eye-watering settlement figure to fix their equal pay problem. We’re talking about multiple tens of millions of pounds, enough to build 300 new parks for families in Coventry.
“We know from recent experience, that burying your head in the sand fixes nothing and only causes the final bill to get even higher. Only genuine good-faith negotiations can resolve this and with the council due in court later this month, time is fast running out to reach an agreement.
“GMB have made it clear; the council must come forward with a serious and fair offer for our members. It’s time for council leader George Duggins to get around the table with GMB and fix this. We need crisis talks, and we need them quick”.
A spokesperson for Coventry City Council said: “We are disappointed that the respective trades unions decided to walk out of our discussion that we had entered into at their request in good faith. We remain willing to enter back into discussions and for them to get back round the table.”