Birmingham faces second wave of school strikes over equal pay dispute

A second wave of school strikes in Birmingham over equal pay issues could be on the horizon, according to the GMB union.

The GMB announced today that staff at fifteen additional Birmingham City Council schools will vote on whether to join ongoing industrial action, as the Council continues to struggle with the City’s equal pay crisis.

It follows earlier strikes by support staff at thirty-five schools across the city.

Council leaders are under fire for the lack of progress in resolving the issue.

This week, a group of accountants and researchers called for an independent inquiry into the Council’s financial management after it issued two Section 114 Notices, effectively declaring itself bankrupt.

Around 150 school workers are expected to participate in the new ballot, which could bring the total number of Birmingham schools facing strike action to fifty.

Voting begins today, with results expected by mid-September.

Alice Reynolds, GMB regional organiser, said: “Birmingham City Council has serious questions to answer. Instead of addressing the underpayment of women delivering essential services for the city, the Council’s actions have only deepened the crisis.

“Now we’re seeing reports that cuts vital services, which they blamed on the growing equal pay liability, could have been avoided – protecting jobs and services that our communities depend upon. GMB won’t accept the council ducking responsibility for their catastrophic failings and pinning the blame on their hardworking staff.

“With workers at fifteen more schools now balloting for strike action, it’s time the council got serious about ending the chaos and settling up.”