Female workers compensated for years of underpayment following lengthy legal campaign
16 December 2025
Female workers at Birmingham City Council are expected to receive payouts totalling more than 250m following a four-year campaign for equal pay.
The news comes after a framework agreement was reached in October to settle the outstanding equal pay claims brought by the unions Unison and GMB on behalf of members working for the council and Birmingham Children’s Trust.
The claims were made after female workers employed as teaching assistants, catering staff and care workers were denied bonuses given to male refuse collectors and street cleaners.
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“This is about righting a historic wrong,” said John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council. “I am pleased that women workers are getting justice at last."
Megan Fisher, GMB organiser, described the settlement as a “historic day” for women across Birmingham.
She added: “This could not have happened without the hard work and determination of women workers who faced stolen wages for too long. Today is their victory and this a proud moment for those who ended this injustice.”
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