Birmingham City Council, and trade unions Unison and GMB, have reached a framework agreement to settle the equal pay claims brought by members at the local authority and Birmingham Children’s Trust.
The framework agreement, which will be taken to the council’s cabinet committee on Tuesday 17 December to seek formal approval, is intended to mark the start of productive and progressive industrial relations built on trust and mutual respect.
The terms of the settlement are confidential but it falls within the limit of the exceptional financial support package agreed with the previous government in January.
The council and the unions have stated they are committed to ensuring that all staff are treated fairly and paid equally.
Councillor John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “This framework agreement marks the end of an intense period of dialogue between the council and its unions. I would like to put on record my thanks to GMB and Unison for the constructive way in which they have approached these negotiations.
“I was appointed as leader to end the failings within this council that led to the equal pay liability. The council will get through this period by working collaboratively with its staff and their union representatives to focus upon delivering the best possible outcome for communities across the city. The next phase of the equal pay programme will be to deliver a new pay and grading model and job evaluation scheme so that pay inequality at the council can end once and for all.”
Alice Reynolds, organiser at GMB, added: “This agreement would not have happened without the determination shown by low-paid women workers. This sets out a cast iron plan to settle our members claims and pay back their wages after years of discrimination. Pay justice for Birmingham’s women workers is something that our union has long led the fight for; this framework agreement brings that within touching distance.”
Claire Campbell, head of organising at Unison West Midlands, said: “Birmingham City Council has longstanding industrial relations issues. But this agreement will show what can be achieved when the council negotiates constructively and in good faith. This will hopefully be the much-needed turning point.”
