Birmingham school strike rally held in city centre amid latest wave of disruption

The rally in Victoria Square, Birmingham city centre
-Credit: (Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)


School staff have held a rally in Birmingham amid a fresh wave of strike action affecting the city’s schools. Many pupils across the city faced disruption today, September 23, as school support workers in 35 Birmingham schools went on strike.

It follows disputes over equal pay with Birmingham City Council bosses, with the GMB union saying it needs to see progress on settling members’ claims. 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.”

READ MORE: All the Birmingham schools affected by today's strike action

She went on to say that the strike would have a “huge impact” on local schools. Union members gathered in Victoria Square, outside the council house, at around midday in a bid to make their demands heard.

One sign seen during the rally read: “We are worth more! Pay us". Birmingham City Council has said in response to the strike action that it has been engaging with both GMB and UNISON for many years on equal pay.

“A new approach to job evaluation to settle Birmingham’s equal pay issues once and for all was agreed with the Trades Unions in October 2023,” a spokesperson for the local authority said. “The council is keen to work together with our recognised unions to explore solutions, as it remains committed to resolving historic equal pay issues and settling all legitimate claims from our employees.”

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