'Unable to pay bills, rents and mortgage' - the reason Birmingham school staff are striking

The GMB Union is holding a strike rally outside Birmingham Council House - with staff from 35 schools taking part

Schools across Birmingham are being impacted by a strike today (Monday September 23). This is a result of ongoing pay issues for support staff within the education system - teaching assistants, catering, grounds maintenance and administration staff.

Harborne Primary School has announced it will be closed to the majority of pupils today. A message to parents read: "Pupils exempt from this are any children of critical workers whose parents have contacted the school and made the appropriate arrangements. Pupils not in school should log into their Purple Mash account to access the online learning provided by the teachers."

The GMB Union says that today's protest comes after Birmingham City Council bosses were criticised for delays in settling equal pay claims lodged by women employed by the authority. Back in May, the GMB union said that 'not one woman worker had received any of the money owed to them after they were excluded from bonuses paid to those in traditionally male-dominated jobs such as refuse collectors and road workers'.

Read more: Birmingham schools staff to strike - full list of schools hit by industrial action on Monday

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Back on Tuesday May 14, around 1,500 support staff went on strike in the middle of the SATs examinations to protest about equal pay. During this strike, some 500 people gathered in Victoria Square to protest outside Birmingham Council House about disputes over equal pay claims. Many demonstrated wearing orange 'Birmingham women fighting for pay justice' sashes.

At the time, receptionist Karen Jebb, from Yorkmead Junior and Infant School, in Hall Green, told BirminghamLive: "We're here because fair is fair. Women should have had equal rights and equal pay. It's nice to see men here as well. I hope this makes a difference. But I don't think this will be the first time we have to protest to push this through."

Teaching assistant Cass Roberts, from Kings Heath Primary School added: "It's absolutely not fair that men who are on the same pay grade as us are getting paid more. It's an absolute injustice. It's disgusting."

A similar number of people are expected to strike today (September 23) as staff at 35 schools across Birmingham have agreed to down tools to make their voices heard. Many are making their way to a strike rally at noon in Victoria Square in Birmingham city centre.

Find out whether your child's school is impacted via our full list of schools affected by today's strike here.

Alice Reynolds, GMB Organiser, said: "These workers have been pushed to the brink. Workers across our city are feeling the pinch, unable to pay their bills, rents and mortgages.

"Meanwhile Birmingham City Council continue to drag their heels on paying them the money they’re owed. This strike will have a huge impact on local schools; partial or full closures could be on the horizon. We need to see progress on settling our members' claims from council bosses, and soon."

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson previously told BirminghamLive: “The council has been engaging with GMB on matters of equal pay since November 2021 and, following the further agreement made with trades unions in October 2023, has begun work on a new approach to job evaluation to settle Birmingham’s equal pay issues once and for all. The council would encourage GMB to explore solutions working together, as it remains committed to resolving historic equal pay issues, and settling all legitimate claims from our employees."