Hundreds of school staff strike for equal pay in UK's Birmingham

By Mehmet Solmaz

BIRMINGHAM, UK (AA) - Some 1,500 workers from 35 schools across Birmingham have joined a 24-hour industrial action on Monday due to a pay dispute with the city’s council.

The Birmingham City Council administration has been criticized for delays in settling equal pay claims lodged by women staff members, according to the GMB Union.

Those who joined the strike include teaching assistants, administrative, catering and grounds maintenance staff but not teachers. However, some schools have been forced to close to students as a result of the industrial action.

Union leaders are calling for increased wages, improved working conditions and more job security for the support staff, who they say are essential to keeping schools running smoothly. Negotiations with local authorities have so far failed to resolve the dispute, prompting the mass walkout.

With no resolution in four months since the walkout in May, support staff across the city have downed tools in a bid to make their voices heard.

The council says they are keen to work together with recognized unions to explore solutions for the issue.

The dispute reportedly relates to claims staff in female-dominated roles have historically been underpaid when compared to men.