Month: October 2025

For immediate release Equal Pay Storm Builds in Barnet – Hundreds Join the Claim

Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Local, Membership, News, Schools, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet

Union says Barnet must follow other councils who’ve settled multimillion-pound Equal Pay cases

Barnet UNISON has confirmed that hundreds of council and school staff have already signed up to join its growing Equal Pay claim, as pressure mounts on the Council to follow the lead of other local authorities who have recently reached multi-million-pound settlements.

The branch reports an overwhelming response from members, with workers across the borough requesting UNISON visits to their schools, offices, and depots to sign up and protect their legal rights.

Recent settlements at Southampton City Council (£49.2 million) and Sheffield City Council (£36 million) have inspired Barnet staff to demand action on long-standing pay inequalities.

Branch Secretary of Barnet UNISON, said:
“The message from our members could not be clearer – if Southampton and Sheffield can settle, then so can Barnet.
Hundreds of mainly low-paid women have already joined this claim because they want fairness, respect, and justice. In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, they shouldn’t have to fight to be paid equally for work of equal value.”

UNISON has announced weekly Equal Pay Surgeries every Tuesday in October at the Colindale UNISON Office, where members can get advice and complete their Equal Pay case forms.

The branch is calling on Barnet Council to work with the unions to reach a fair settlement and avoid a protracted legal battle.

UNISON added:
“Barnet workers have waited long enough. Our members are organised, determined, and ready to see this Equal Pay claim resolved.”

Notes to editors:

  • The Southampton settlement (July 2025) involved 800 staff and was valued at £49.2 million.
  • The Sheffield settlement (September 2025) involved 3,600 staff in 260 roles and was valued at £36 million.
  • Barnet UNISON represents staff employed by Barnet Council, The Barnet Group (TBG), and Barnet Education & Learning Service (BELS).

📅 Equal Pay Surgeries: Every Tuesday in October
📍 UNISON Office, Colindale
📧 contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

ENDS

UNISON Raises Alarm Over Plan to Record Workers and Residents All Day

Austerity, Health and Safety, Local, News, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign

Barnet UNISON has raised serious concerns about a new requirement for parking enforcement staff to wear body-worn cameras that are switched on for the entire duration of their shifts.

The change, reportedly requested by senior officers at Barnet Council and being implemented by private contractor APCOA, marks a significant departure from the current practice — where body cameras are only activated when a Penalty Charge Notice is issued.

John Burgess, Branch Secretary of Barnet UNISON, said:

“We are deeply concerned about the impact this could have on our members’ right to privacy at work — as well as on the rights of Barnet residents, including children and vulnerable people, who may be filmed without their knowledge or consent.

We believe this change is excessive and disproportionate, and we’ve asked for an urgent explanation from both APCOA and Barnet Council. We are still waiting for a response.”

UNISON recognises that body-worn cameras can play a role in supporting staff safety in certain situations. However, blanket surveillance throughout an entire shift risks creating a culture of mistrust and surveillance, without evidence that it improves outcomes.

The union has now launched a consultation with its members on the contract to seek their views on the change.

“We want to hear directly from the staff affected. We’ve launched a confidential survey asking if they support having the camera on all day — and if they’d be prepared to take further action if this policy is forced through without proper consultation,” said Burgess.

UNISON has called on both APCOA and Barnet Council to pause implementation of the policy until full consultation has taken place and the privacy and data protection implications have been properly addressed.

  

Notes to editors:

  • UNISON is the recognised trade union for parking enforcement officers in Barnet.
  • TUPE consultation is legally required when contracts are transferred between employers.
  • The proposed change in camera usage was raised less than four weeks before the planned contract handover on 1 November 2025.

 

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