Having secured more than £1 billion in settlements for predominantly female workers across local government and retail, the GMB union are adamant that the battle is far from over.
Although high-profile cases against councils and major employers such as ASDA have exposed discriminatory pay structures, GMB argues these successes represent only part of a much wider problem. Across the economy, women continue to be clustered in undervalued roles, with job evaluation schemes and pay frameworks that still fail to recognise work of equal value.
Looking ahead, GMB is preparing for a new phase of the fight, that goes beyond back pay and tribunals. The union is calling for employers to fundamentally reform pay systems to prevent inequality from being rebuilt after settlements are reached. Without lasting structural change, GMB warns, recent victories risk becoming tomorrow’s repeated claims.
The union is also pressing the government to strengthen enforcement of equal pay law, including tighter deadlines, greater transparency, and penalties for employers who fail to comply. GMB leaders argue that equal pay should not depend on years of legal action, but be built into workplaces as a basic standard.
Rhea Wolfson, GMB Head of Industrial Relations, said: ‘Fifty years on from the equal pay act, it should be a source of national shame we have to make these claims.
‘But it’s amazing to know more than £1 billion pounds will now be paid to the women who are owed it – including around £250 million confirmed to Birmingham women just before Christmas.
‘Employers need to take note in 2026 – wherever GMB sees women being underpaid compared to men, in the public or private sector; we are coming for you.’
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