Barnet faces bill of tens of millions in London’s first council equal pay claim, says GMB

Barnet Council could be liable for tens of millions of pounds as it faces the first local authority equal pay claim ever launched in London. 

GMB Union has begun proceedings on behalf of around 400 women working as school support staff at the 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. 

Barnet’s Refuse Staff, who are overwhelmingly men, currently receive a full day’s wages even if they complete their work early. 

Some roles within the council’s Refuse Department have also been paid a retention bonus, which school support staff have not received.

GMB has attempted to settle the claim through negotiations.

Beverley Gunning, Barnet branch secretary at GMB, said: “It is shameful that we must take Barnet Council to court to make them do the right thing, but we will do whatever is necessary to fight for the money our members are owed after years of systemic gender pay discrimination. 

“The work of school support staff is vital, and these members are already some of the council’s lowest paid staff.