Birmingham council workers back strike vote to end 'equal pay crisis'
Workers at council-run schools are anticipated to go on strike in the spring.
Members of the GMB Union, working at Birmingham City Council, have voted overwhelmingly to back industrial action to end the city's equal pay crisis.
The union say an escalation in action was backed by 87 percent of members voting in the council-wide ballot.
Workers in Birmingham City Council schools will now be asked to proceed with a formal strike vote, with strike dates anticipated for later this spring.
Alice Reynolds, GMB Organiser, said:
âThis is a major escalation in GMBâs campaign to end the pay discrimination faced by women workers at Birmingham City Council.
âWeâve been calling for the Council to set a timetable for settling equal pay claims for months. Now their inaction means Birmingham faces the threat of industrial action in our schools this spring.
âCouncil bosses have outlined drastic cuts to spending; yet not one women worker has been re-paid the wages that have been stolen from them.
âOur members are sending a loud and clear message that they refuse to pay the price for a crisis they didnât create.
"We are consulting with members and Reps about next steps and and will be announcing dates for a formal strike vote in the coming days."
Birmingham City Council have been approached for comment.