Leeds City Council workers could go on strike over equal pay

The GMB Union says women at the council have been 'systematically underpaid'

More than 2,000 workers at Leeds City Council could go on strike after a major union said women were "systematically underpaid".

According to the GMB Union, almost 2,500 Leeds City Council workers took part in an indicative ballot for strike action, with 94 percent voting in favour. This was launched amid an equal pay dispute, with the union saying women have been "systematically underpaid" at the council for years.

Now, the union will open a legal strike ballot in the coming days. Julie Wynn, GMB Senior Organiser, said: "This is an overwhelming mandate for industrial action that represents the anger Leeds have created with its shamefully low offer to staff they've been underpaying for years.

"Thousands of women have had their say, and the message couldn't be clearer. Leeds Council leadership now has no choice but to put a serious offer on the table or expect mass disruption to services across the city." Leeds City Council said it had been in discussions with the union, and was pleased it had been able to settle some elements of these claims last year, but have been unable to come to a settlement on some parts which contain complex legal issues.

A spokesperson said: "The council has at all times taken a constructive and collaborative approach to its discussions with the GMB union over the current equal pay claims.

"We were pleased that we were able to settle some elements of the claims late last year, with the GMB saying the agreement highlighted what can be achieved when both sides engage in genuine dialogue. Despite further discussions, we have, as yet, been unable to reach a settlement on the outstanding elements of the claims, which involve complex legal issues.

We are keen to continue talks with the GMB with a view to agreeing a settlement on terms that satisfy all parties and would not constrain our ability to keep providing the services that people across Leeds rely on. It is incumbent on us, as a responsible local authority, to do our utmost to avoid a situation where – by accepting any terms that would place an undue burden on our finances – we are forced to consider job cuts and drastic rises in council tax.

"We will therefore continue to seek a settlement that is fair and realistic, and would once again stress that we are open to further discussions with the GMB to try to find common ground on this important matter."

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