Sheffield Council wages: Thousands of women launching equal pay claim over 'truly scandalous' wage imbalance

Thousands of women are set to launch an equal pay claim against Sheffield Council for what has been called a 'truly scandalous' imbalance in wages.

The GMB union claims some female workers are missing out on up to £11,000 a year as the council's job evaluation scheme 'routinely discriminates against women dominated roles' like cleaning, caring and housing allocation.

The claim is being officially launched today, Monday, September 25, at the Women of Steel statue in Barker's Pool.

According to research by the GMB, senior teaching assistants who are on grade 5 and working full time are underpaid by £11,383 compared with night-time noise officers (grade 7). Care managers (grade 6) are paid £8,351 less than cemetery supervisors (grade 7), the union says, and cleaners (grade 1) earn £1,710 less than caretakers (grade 3).

The GMB is urging female council workers in Sheffield to get in touch to discuss whether they have a claim.

Sue Wood, senior organiser for the GMB, said: "What we have uncovered in Sheffield is truly scandalous.

"The council are using a rotten job allocation scheme that actively discriminates against its female workforce and opens up thousands of potential equal pay claims.

"We are determined that this injustice must end and call upon the Town Hall to step up, commit to ending this blatant discrimination and scrap this unfair scheme.”

Councillor Fran Belbin, deputy leader of Sheffield City Council, said: "Sheffield City Council has positive and long-standing relationships with the trade unions, including GMB, and we work with them using an evaluation scheme to ensure that council jobs are reviewed and graded fairly. We have had this scheme in place since 2010 and it includes an appeals process.

"Any member of staff can request a review if they believe their grade is not correct. We encourage members of staff to raise any concerns about equal pay with us, so we can review and address if necessary. When a grade is confirmed as needing to change, changes are made. We meet regularly with staff and their representatives and are always happy to discuss any concerns."

On Monday afternoon, she added: "The Leader of Sheffield City Council, Tom Hunt, and I met with representatives from the GMB Union this afternoon, as we are keen to listen and understand the points that they have raised today. 

“The conversation was positive and constructive. We are now waiting for GMB to share with us full details of their concerns.

“Once we have had the chance to fully review the information, we will consider the most appropriate steps and engage in further conversations with staff and unions.

“We value our relationships with our workforce and unions. We encourage anyone who has any concerns to raise them with us and we will look at each case."