Union lodges 400 equal pay claims against city council

The GMB has said it has lodged 400 legal claims against Brighton and Hove City Council due to sex discrimination over the pay of members in “predominantly female” job roles.

However, the council says it has “not received any details” from the union relating to the claims, despite requests for information.

According to GMB, the value of the claims identified is estimated to be tens of millions of pounds but could be “much more”.

The union said it has approached Brighton and Hove for a meeting to discuss equal pay issues, but the council have “yet to agree to a meeting”.

Lib Whitfield, GMB Senior Organiser said: “GMB has lodged the first tranche of 400 legal claims as we back our members fighting for equal pay from Brighton and Hove City Council and schools."

She added: “Workers in predominantly female roles have been historically underpaid and are owed millions. More claims will follow as more and more people join the campaign.

“GMB expects our members, who are predominantly low paid women, will win the money they are owed after years of unfair and unequal pay.”

She noted that the union is currently organising the next tranche of legal claims, which will be submitted over the coming weeks.

Jess Gibbons, Chief Executive at Brighton and Hove City Council said: “This council is committed to being a fair and inclusive employer. Our staff are our biggest asset. As a council we will do all we can to make sure they continue to be treated with fairness and respect.

"It is important to point out we have made multiple requests to GMB for information relating to the equal pay claims they are making which have been outlined in the media..... The council has not received any details from GMB.

"We will look at any information provided to us and continue to encourage our recognised unions to work with us at an early stage and provide any information they have to support us in proactively addressing any concerns over equal pay and any other workplace issues.

"If there are issues that need to be addressed we would work with both trade unions and apply the resolution to any affected staff member in either UNISON or GMB, or staff who are not members of either union."

Lottie Winson