Kirklees Council ‘short-changed’ fears as over 500 equal pay claims filed
The GMB believes that thousands of workers at Kirklees Council may have an equal pay claim
The GMB is urging women to submit claims for potential pay discrimination, fearing they may have been “short-changed” by Kirklees Council.
GMB believes that thousands of workers at Kirklees Council may have an equal pay claim, with more than 500 employees from across the council already having joined GMB’s collective claim.
The claim centres on pay differences between refuse workers and jobs traditionally carried out by women, including teaching assistants, catering staff and care workers.
Speaking on behalf of GMB, Organiser Tristan Chard explained that the GMB were “fighting” to recover “every penny” owed to members.
Mr Chard said: “For too long, women working at Kirklees Council have been short-changed. GMB is determined to put this right…
“Every council worker is entitled to fair pay. We’re urging anyone who may be affected to come forward, check their eligibility and join the campaign.”
A spokesperson for Kirklees Council explained that the issue was “affecting local government more widely”, claiming that around two-thirds of local authorities across the country were “facing similar challenges”.
The spokesperson said: “We are aware that Trade Unions locally and nationally are collating and submitting equal pay claims on behalf of their members…
“The Council are committed to working with our staff and Trade Unions on all employment matters, and we remain committed to approaching conversations in a spirit of cooperation and with the aim of finding a fair and sustainable way forward.”
As the matter is now subject to a formal legal process, the council said it would “not be appropriate to comment in detail” on the specifics of the claims at this stage.
However, they assured they remained “committed to engaging positively” with the GMB.
Successful claimants could recover up to six years of back pay, with the total value of the claims potentially amounting to millions of pounds. GMB is urging anyone who believes they may be affected to come forward and check whether they are eligible to join the claim.