Hundreds of women launch equal pay claim against Barnet Council

London’s first council equal pay claim begins at Employment Tribunal

London’s first council equal pay claim has today [19 November] had its first court hearing before the Employment Tribunal.

GMB Union began legal action after the council refused to settle through negotiations.

The union launched the claim on behalf of hundreds of women working as school support staff at Barnet Council.

They say there are structural pay differences between members of staff working in roles staffed predominantly by women and those roles carried out mostly by men.^[1]

If successful, members will be able to claim for up to 6 years’ pay differential, as well as for the time it takes to settle the case.

Lisa Bangs, GMB Senior Organiser, said:

“This is the first step to achieving pay justice for Barnet’s school support staff.

“The council have tried to bury their heads in the sand, but this claim isn’t going away.

“Our members are determined to fight for what they are owed and ensure this kind of discrimination doesn’t happen again.”