Care workers ready to strike in equal pay dispute
GettyHundreds of care workers have voted for strike action in a dispute over equal pay.
More than 300 staff employed at Sunderland Council's local authority trading company, Sunderland Care and Support, have voted in favour of industrial action in an indicative ballot. A full ballot will be held in the coming days.
The GMB union claims that the predominately female workers have been denied access to a more generous local authority pension scheme, that is predominantly open to male council workers.
They are also paid less per hour than their male colleagues, the GMB says. The council said it was continuing to engage in discussions with the union.
GMB organiser Joyce Guthrie described the indicative ballot result as an "historic result" in the campaign for equal pay.
She said: "The overwhelming mandate for action should be a wake up call to Sunderland's leadership.
"They can't avoid this issue any more. Carers are done waiting.
"If Sunderland doesn't step up and make this right, they will be letting down not only hundreds of working women, but also those they care for every day."
'Meaningful dialogue
"These are complex matters, and it is important that all parties are given the opportunity to work them through the established procedures," a spokesman for the city council said in a statement.
"We are continuing to follow due and legal process and remain focused on reaching a resolution through meaningful dialogue and engagement."
