GMB secures more than £1bn in equal pay victories for women workers

Women workers across the UK have won more than £1bn in equal pay they were owed, following campaigns by GMB Union.

The union said women employed by councils have historically been underpaid in roles dominated by women, including care, cleaning and catering, compared with male-dominated jobs such as refuse collection – even where the roles were judged to be of equal value.

As a result of GMB-led equal pay claims, councils from Birmingham to Falkirk have now paid out £1.095bn to women who were underpaid over many years.

However, the union warned that the issue is far from resolved.

As 2026 approaches, around 40,000 equal pay claims remain outstanding across 28 local authorities, with potential liabilities running into hundreds of millions of pounds.

A further 10,000 claims are expected to be launched across five more councils.

Rhea Wolfson, GMB head of industrial relations, said the scale of the payouts highlights the depth of the problem.

She added: “Fifty years on from the equal pay act, it should be a source of national shame we have to make these claims.

“But it’s amazing to know more than £1 billion pounds will now be paid to the women who are owed it – including around £250 million confirmed to Birmingham women just before Christmas.

“Employers need to take note in 2026 – wherever GMB sees women being underpaid compared to men, in the public or private sector; we are coming for you.”