More Birmingham schools vote to strike | News

GMB members at over half of Birmingham’s council schools could walk out on equal pay.

Strike action at Birmingham City Council schools could escalate as GMB members in 35 additional schools prepare to vote on strike.

It follows actions at another 35 schools last week (May 14), where up to 1,500 workers walked out.

It now brings to 70 the total number of schools in Birmingham facing the equal share of the pay strike across the city.

Workers will take part in the vote, including teaching assistants, catering staff and field workers.

Alice Reynolds, GMB organiser, said: “This is a decisive escalation by GMB members in Birmingham.

“Now 70 schools in Birmingham, over half of the city’s schools, face a summer of strike uncertainty due to delays and broken promises by Birmingham City Council.

“It is time for council chiefs to act urgently to set a clear timetable for resolving these claims and ending the equal pay crisis.”

Birmingham City Council told us: “The council has been engaging with the GMB on equal pay since November 2021 and, following the subsequent agreement reached with the unions in October 2023, has started work on a new approach to job evaluation for to solve the problem in Birmingham. equal pay issues once and for all.

“The council would encourage the GMB to explore solutions that work together as it remains committed to resolving historic equal pay issues and addressing all the legitimate claims of our employees.”

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