Equal pay talks have not broken down, says council

Suggestions that talks between the GMB Union and Coventry City Council over equal pay claims have broken down, have been rejected by the local authority.

Their statement came after the union on Monday announced it was reopening the pay claims on Monday, saying more women had signed up, with just under 300 people now part of their legal challenge against the council.

A GMB spokesperson added at the time they were demanding the authority "get back around the table with a plan".

A council spokesperson said "Contrary to GMB's claims, talks have not broken down.

"GMB, through their solicitors Leigh Day, suggested we meet, we accepted, and we are still waiting for their response to our offer of further discussions."

The authority's comment comes after Alice Reynolds, the organiser for the GMB said: "After years of unacceptable delays, Coventry's women workers have had enough."

The union claimed that talks aimed at finding a solution had collapsed earlier this year.

However, the council statement, issued on Friday, said "We remain committed to engaging constructively to find a resolution. This has been shared with the respective regional officer."

The equal pay claims concentrate on the benefits mainly male-dominated bin collection workers received, which allowed them to go home when they had finished their daily route, even if it was before the end of their allocated shift.

However women who had jobs at the authority that had been rated as being of similar rank to the bin staff, were not allowed to finish early, with the GMB saying that meant they were unfairly treated.

The city council has set aside £9m this financial year and the same for the next two years to settle claims, although it is thought the final bill could exceed £30m.

The council said it urges the GMB to "respond positively to our offer to meet".

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