Category: Barnet Group

Barnet launches major Equal Pay action spanning council and LATCs — ‘EasyCouncil’ faces first London-wide test case

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

PRESS RELEASE: For immediate release: 

Barnet launches major Equal Pay action spanning council and LATCs — ‘EasyCouncil’ faces first London-wide test case

Barnet UNISON has today submitted three collective grievances triggering a borough-wide Equal Pay claim across the London Borough of Barnet, The Barnet Group (TBG) and Barnet Education & Learning Service (BELS) — the council’s two wholly owned arm’s-length companies (LATCs).

Branded “EasyCouncil” during its peak outsourcing years, Barnet now faces an Equal Pay challenge that cuts across council services and its LATCs, echoing the ground-breaking 2023 Glasgow decision confirming that local authority trading companies are not a shield against Equal Pay liability where the council is the single source capable of rectifying pay inequality.

Helen Davies, Branch Chair, Barnet UNISON, said:
“Women in Barnet’s schools, care and community services have waited long enough. We’ve now filed Equal Pay grievances with all three employers because the evidence is overwhelming — and because LATC status doesn’t make discrimination disappear. If Southampton, Sheffield and Birmingham can settle multi-million-pound claims, so can Barnet.”

Barnet UNISON’s case covers multiple strands including task-and-finish uplifts, Christmas bonus payments, DLO payments, and pension access issues for LATC staff. The union is seeking a negotiated, borough-wide settlement framework that treats council and LATC workers consistently, rather than siloed processes.

A fast-growing national picture

Barnet’s action lands as councils across Britain confront Equal Pay liabilities:

  1. Southampton City Council – Settlement agreed (July 2025) for ~800 staff; task-and-finish disparity.
  2. Sheffield City Council – Agreement (Sept 2025): ~3,600 staff / ~260 roles; ~£36m redress.
  3. Birmingham City Council – Framework to settle (Dec 2024) following Section 114.
  4. Coventry City Council – ~680 claims ongoing (2025); >£30m exposure; ET listed Nov 2026.
  5. Brighton & Hove City Council – Claims lodged/flagged (2024–25), thousands indicated.
  6. Bradford MDC – Legal action launched (July 2025) for female-dominated roles.
  7. Knowsley Council – Union warns of “tens of millions” exposure (Oct 2025).
  8. Leeds City Council – Unions inviting case forms (2024–25).
  9. Derby City Council – Ongoing disputes; >£1.5m spent defending cases.
  10. BCP Council – Corporate papers flag equal-pay litigation risk (2024–25).
    Scotland:
  11. Glasgow City Council – Continuing settlements/updates (2023–25); key LATC precedent.
  12. Fife Council – Tribunal success reported (July 2022); further claims lodged.
  13. Falkirk, Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire – Equal-pay disputes/strikes (2024).

Helen Davies added:
“This could be the first of several London Equal Pay cases. Barnet helped pioneer outsourcing; now it should lead on putting pay equality right — across the council and the companies it owns.”

Call to the employer

Barnet UNISON has invited the Council, TBG and BELS to enter a Memorandum of Understanding for structured negotiations covering data disclosure, scope, timelines and remedies, so staff don’t wait years for justice.

Media contact:
Barnet UNISON – contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Notes to editors:

  • Recent settlements referenced include Southampton (UNISON South East), Sheffield (Sheffield City Council), and Birmingham (City Council/union statements).
  • Barnet UNISON represents staff employed by Barnet Council, The Barnet Group, and BELS.
  • The Glasgow (2023) Equal Pay outcome reinforced that council-owned LATCs can fall within the single-source test for Equal Pay liability.

PRESS RELEASE: Equal Pay Momentum Builds in Barnet – Care and School Staff Sign Up in Their Hundreds

Anti - Racism, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Local, National, TBG Flex, Trades Dispute, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet

Barnet UNISON has revealed a surge of support for its Equal Pay campaign, with hundreds of care workers and school support staff already signed up and hundreds more contacting the branch to join the claim.

Across Barnet’s schools, care homes, and community services, women workers are taking action to protect their legal rights to equal pay.
UNISON says that the growing number of sign-ups shows the level of frustration among staff who have seen their real pay fall while the cost of living continues to rise.

Helen Davies, Branch Chair of Barnet UNISON, said:
“Our members have seen what’s happened in Southampton and Sheffield — ordinary council workers winning millions in back pay.
Now Barnet’s care workers and school staff are saying loud and clear: we deserve fairness too.”

The Equal Pay campaign has seen record engagement, with UNISON visiting schools and care workplaces across the borough to help staff complete their case forms and understand their rights under the Equality Act.

Helen Davies added:
“This is just the beginning.
Every week more members are signing up because they know that in a cost-of-living crisis, no one can afford to miss out on what they’re owed.”

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

END.

 

 

 

 

 

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 Equal Pay Claims Now Extended to The Barnet Group and BELS

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Local, News, Schools, Solidarity, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet

Barnet UNISON has confirmed that our ongoing Equal Pay campaign, initially focused on London Borough of Barnet (LBB) staff, has now been extended to include our members working for The Barnet Group (TBG) and Barnet Education and Learning Skills (BELS) — both of which are Local Authority Trading Companies wholly owned by LBB.

The potential scale of the claim is significant:

  • London Borough of Barnet (including Community Schools): 2,700 staff
  • The Barnet Group: 900 staff
  • BELS: 250 staff

Not all of these employees will be claimants, but a substantial number could be affected.

UNISON has been at the forefront of local government equal pay claims for over a decade, securing millions in compensation for members across the UK. Our investigation in Barnet has identified practices — including the use of “task and finish” and bonus payments in Waste & Recycling — that are likely to give rise to Equal Pay claims with reasonable prospects of success.

In light of these findings, we are:

  • Urging all LBB members on Grades A to K to complete an Equal Pay case form.
  • Inviting all of our members from TBG and BELS to submit their Equal pay case forms.

To pursue a claim, members must complete the case form with details of their job role, grade, and dates of employment. If you have left or changed your role in the past six months, this must be made clear as Tribunal deadlines are strict.

Download the Equal Pay case form here:
Equal Pay Case Form – Barnet UNISON

Return completed forms to: contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

Barnet UNISON will lodge a collective grievance on behalf of claimants and begin the early conciliation process as the first step towards an Employment Tribunal claim. We will continue to engage constructively with LBB, TBG, and BELS to seek an industrial resolution wherever possible.

Ends

For further information contact:
Barnet UNISON at : contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

 

Barnet UNISON Launches Potential Equal Pay Claim on Behalf of its female members.

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Housing, Libraries, Local, News, Schools, Solidarity, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet

Barnet UNISON is urging its female members in the London Borough of Barnet (LBB) to come forward as the union prepares to launch a collective legal challenge over potential equal pay breaches by the Council.

The move follows extensive investigations into pay practices within LBB, particularly in relation to the use of “task and finish” arrangements in the Waste & Recycling service. UNISON believes there is now sufficient evidence to support equal pay claims with reasonable prospects of success.

John Burgess, Branch Secretary of Barnet UNISON, said:

“The possibility that staff – the majority of whom are women – may have been underpaid for years is deeply concerning, especially in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. Equal Pay is not just a legal right, it’s a fundamental matter of fairness. UNISON is committed to ensuring our members receive the pay they are legally and morally entitled to.”

The union is now asking affected members to complete an Equal Pay case form detailing their job roles, grades, and employment history. This information will allow UNISON to assess each claim and proceed with legal and procedural steps, including lodging a collective grievance and initiating early conciliation.

Barnet UNISON is also reminding staff of the strict six-month legal time limit for making an Equal Pay claim. Anyone who has recently left the Council or changed roles is urged to act quickly.

UNISON has led the fight for Equal Pay in local government for over a decade, winning millions in compensation for underpaid workers. The union will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with Barnet Council while preparing to take legal action where necessary.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Barnet UNISON at contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

URGENT ACTION REQUIRED : Potential Equal Pay Claim

Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Housing, Local, Membership, News, Schools, Solidarity, Trades Dispute, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet

As you may be aware, there has been a lot of recent activity regarding potential equal pay claims in the London Borough of Barnet (LBB).

As the UK’s largest union, UNISON has led on equal pay within local government for over a decade and has recovered £millions in compensation for our members. We take the issue extremely seriously.

We appreciate that the prospect of being underpaid due to your gender in a cost-of-living crisis is especially emotive, however, Equal Pay legislation is complex, and UNISON has been carrying out investigations into a number of discriminatory pay practices that have been identified.

We wanted to understand the facts and consider the legal position so we can advise members appropriately. As a result of our investigations, we understand that in the Waste & Recycling service, the Council operates a practice of task and finish and has made bonus payments.

We are now satisfied that there is evidence that is likely to give rise to equal pay claims against LBB with reasonable prospects of success. This is of course dependent on your individual circumstances, and we will require members to complete case forms so that we can confirm whether your individual circumstances are captured within the potential claims we’ve identified. You must provide details of your job role, grade and dates of your employment.

If you have multiple job roles, we need this information for all of them. In order to pursue a claim, you can download an equal pay case form along with guidance on how to complete it.

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025.07.28-Barnet-UNISON-Caseform-London-Borough-of-Barnet-updated-with-NI-number.docx

Please return your completed case form to contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

at your earliest convenience.

In tandem with the legal process, we must also exhaust internal procedures by lodging collective grievance. Once we have received your case form, we will add your name to the collective grievance that we will send to the Council. In addition, we will shortly arrange to start early conciliation on your behalf. This is the pre-requisite to starting a Tribunal claim.

Please be aware of time limits. To pursue a claim for equal pay, the claim must be lodged in the Tribunal within 6 months less one day of the end of your employment or a change in your employment. If you have left the Council in the past 6 months, or if you have changed your role in the last 6 months, please make this clear on the case form.

Please be assured that we will continue to maintain a constructive dialogue with your employer and seek to resolve matters industrially, wherever possible.

We will also keep you updated as to the progress of any negotiations/claims whenever there are any significant developments.

 

End.

Updated : Are You Getting the Right Holiday Pay? – plus 10 FAQs

Anti - Racism, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Local, News, Report, Solidarity, TBG Flex, Your Choice Barnet

A Briefing for All Barnet UNISON Members

1. If You Work Overtime, Read This!

Barnet UNISON is raising an important issue affecting many of our members.

If you regularly work overtime and take annual leave, your holiday pay should reflect your normal average earnings — not just your basic pay.

2. What the Law Says

From April 2025, UK law confirmed what courts have already made clear:

If you regularly work overtime or receive regular allowances, your holiday pay must include these payments.

This applies to at least 4 weeks of your annual leave each year.

3. What This Means for You:

When you’re on annual leave, your payslip should include:

  • Basic pay
  • Top-up for regular overtime/allowances

No top-up? You may have been underpaid.

4. Legal Backing

This is now backed by:

  • British Gas v Lock (2016)
  • Flowers v East of England Ambulance Trust (2019)
  • Employment Rights Regulations 2023 (in force from April 2025)

These confirmed that holiday pay must reflect what you normally earn — including regular overtime.

5.  What to Look Out For
  • Did your pay drop while on leave?
  • Was there no holiday pay enhancement showing on your payslip?
  • Do you regularly work overtime, but see no difference in holiday pay?

If so — you may be owed back pay for up to 2 years.

6. What have Barnet UNISON done?

We have already written to Barnet Council asking the following;

  1. Confirm the rationale for commencing these payments from 1 April 2025;
  2. Confirm whether the Council recognises that this change arises from the 2023 Regulations and related case law;
  3. Requested a meeting to discuss how best to resolve this issue and ensure that members are properly remunerated in line with the law.
7. Get in Touch – We Can Help

Contact us if:

  • You think your holiday pay is wrong
  • You want help checking your payslips
  • You’ve worked overtime and want to know your rights

Email Barnet UNISON at: contactus@barnetunison.org.uk

We are gathering information and may take collective action where members have been underpaid.

Know Your Rights. Get What You’re Owed.

You’ve earned it. Make sure you’re paid fairly — even when you’re on holiday.

Holiday Pay & Overtime – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

1. I work overtime — should that be included in my holiday pay?

Yes — if you regularly work overtime, your holiday pay should reflect your normal average earnings, not just your basic contracted hours.

 

2. What counts as “regular” overtime?

“Regular” means any overtime that happens consistently or predictably, even if it’s voluntary. If it forms a normal part of your working pattern, it should be included.

 

3. What if my overtime is voluntary — does that still count?

Yes — courts have confirmed that regular voluntary overtime must be included in holiday pay if it’s worked often enough to become part of your normal pay (see Flowers v East of England Ambulance Trust).

 

4. How many weeks of my leave should include this enhanced pay?

At least 4 weeks per year of your annual leave must reflect your normal pay, including overtime. This is a legal minimum. Contractual leave above this may be paid at basic rate.

 

5. How is the holiday pay calculated?

It should be based on your average weekly earnings over the previous 52 paid weeks, including any overtime, bonuses, or allowances you normally receive.

 

6. How can I tell if I’ve been underpaid?

Look at your payslips during periods when you were on leave:

  • Was your pay lower than usual?
  • Was there no separate line for “holiday pay enhancement”?
    If yes, you may have been underpaid.

 

7. Can I claim back pay if I was underpaid?

Yes — you may be entitled to up to 2 years’ back pay, but you must act quickly. Legal claims must be made within 3 months of the last underpayment.

 

8. I didn’t know about this before — am I out of time?

It depends. If you recently became aware of the issue or took leave recently, you may still be in time to raise a claim. Contact us for advice.

 

9. What should I do if I think I’ve been underpaid?

Email Barnet UNISON at: contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
We can help you check your payslips, raise it with your employer, and explore options for claiming what you’re owed.

 

10. 1 Does this apply to agency or casual workers?

It depends on your working pattern. If you have a pattern of regular overtime or consistent work weeks, you may still be entitled to holiday pay based on average earnings. Contact us for specific advice.

UNISON is here to make sure you’re paid fairly — even when you’re on holiday.

Barnet UNISON – Fighting for Fair Pay.

 

Barnet UNISON Warns: “Care Workforce at Risk Without Urgent Action”

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Care & Support, Local, News, Recruitment, Solidarity, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet

 

Barnet UNISON has raised urgent concerns about the sustainability of the care workforce at The Barnet Group (TBG), following the release of new data showing a heavily ageing workforce and low numbers of younger recruits.

“The age profile, published today on the Barnet UNISON website, reveals that over 60% of staff are aged 51 and above, with the largest group being 51-60. Under 22% are under the age of 40 with only 6% under the age of 30.”

Helen Davies, Branch Chair of Barnet UNISON, said:

“This data is a wake-up call. The care sector is already under pressure — and without urgent investment in recruitment, training and fair pay, we risk a workforce crisis. Many of our dedicated care staff are approaching retirement age. Who will replace them?”

The union warns that without a strategy to recruit and retain younger staff; the service could face a critical shortage of experienced carers within the next decade. It is calling on Barnet Council and The Barnet Group to:

  • Introduce a care workforce renewal plan
  • Expand apprenticeships and training pathways
  • Improve pay and conditions for frontline care workers
  • Protect services from further cuts and privatisation

Barnet UNISON will be using the data in ongoing discussions with management, councillors and the wider community to demand a properly funded and future-proofed care service.

For further information contact:
Barnet UNISON – contactus@barnetunison.org.uk
Twitter/X: @barnet_unison | www.barnetunison.me.uk

 

“3.2% is not good enough – members deserve better!”

Anti - Racism, Austerity, Barnet Group, Barnet Homes, Demonstration, Disability, Health and Safety, Housing, Libraries, News, Pensions, Schools, Solidarity, TBG Flex, UNISON Campaign, Your Choice Barnet

The news is that the response of the employers to the joint trade union National Pay claim for £3,000 is 3.2%.

Barnet UNISON members can view what 3.2% means to their grade by clicking on the link below

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2025/04/24/national-pay-offer-3-2/

UNISON members know that their pay has fallen behind the cost of living and that they are “all now working one day a week for free.”

If we continue to fail to negotiate a pay award that directly deals with the cost-of-living crisis, soon public sector workers will be working “two days a week for free.”

We are in the worst cost-of-living crisis in 77 years.

Politicians seeking to confuse and defend poor pay talk about inflation rates falling as if that has improved things for our members.

Speaking to some of our lowest paid members in care homes, depots, and schools, they are seriously struggling to survive on poverty wages.

Inflation may go up and down, but prices are not going down and they keep rising:

  • 50% rise in local Bus Fares
  • 41% rise in Water Bills
  • 22% rise in Stamp prices
  • 18.4% rise in Energy Bills
  • 16% rise Rail Cards
  • 14% rise in Tuition Fees
  • 4.99% rise in Council Tax
  • 4.6% rise in Rail Fares

Whilst the poor are getting poorer, and the rich are getting richer.

We have been here before in 2009 our Barnet UNISON Branch Secretary set out his serious concerns in a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown 24 June 2009

“Barnet Council has made efficiency savings of £80.9m over 7 years, £58.8m in the last 5 years” 

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/NO_PRIMEMINISTER_0.pdf

15 years ago, Barnet UNISON had concerns about poverty, privatisation and the emergence of the Far-Right politics. In Barnet Council we had hundreds of redundancies for several years as the Council claimed they were not being funded. Things haven’t changed and we had our first round of redundancies last December due to the current financial crisis.

What is clear is that the voices of our members across the Council across workplaces, be it a school, a depot, care home or day centre need to be heard and LOUDLY.

Barnet Council is lobbying the government for more funding, but there needs to be more pressure than that. We all need to add our voices for more funding

We are asking our members to sign the following Petition to Angela Rayner (who used to be a UNISON rep). This petition is not just for our members but can be signed by members’ family and friends or anyone who wants to see an end to the destruction of public services.

https://chng.it/6DSvxfZqhz

 

end.

 

1 2 3 … 16