AN estimated 8000 workers walked through Scotland’s biggest city on Tuesday in what is thought to be the UK’s biggest ever women’s pay strike.
Hundreds of schools and nurseries were closed as Unison and GMB members began the 48-hour walk-out they hope will help end their 12-year wait for equal pay.
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Male refuse workers declined to cross the picket line at local depots in a show of support.
While Glasgow City Council has stated its intention to reach a settlement by December, with payouts beginning in the next financial year, unions say a “lack of progress” forced the unprecedented action.
Home carers, cleaners and catering workers were amongst those to take the industrial action, which continues on Wednesday.
Unison regional organiser Mandy McDowall said: “This strike comes at the end of 10 years of litigation through the courts.
“Last year the courts agreed with us that the council’s pay scheme was unequal and invalid and we were sent back to negotiate a new pay scheme and settlement of equal pay claims for thousands of women across Glasgow.
READ MORE: Glasgow strikers claim their place in women’s history
“In 10 months and 21 meetings of negotiations we have got nowhere.
“There is no detail on the table that allows us to have confidence that the council will meet the deadline of December that was equally set.”
Babies in prams and children whose classes were cancelled were among the crowd that gathered in Glasgow Green before a walking procession to George Square, where a rally was held outside the council chambers.
Some chanted “equal pay or we walk away”, while others carried placards bearing the images of the current and previous council leaders and demands for progress.
Demonstrators even held signs featuring the faces of colleagues who died without receiving a settlement.
Shop workers and pedestrians applauded from pavements as the procession passed, with railway workers showing solidarity from a bridge above the Saltmarket thoroughfare.
Tourists also posed for pictures as the massive march made its way into the heart of the city.
The dispute dates back to 2006, when Glasgow City Council brought in new pay rules that were intended to end injustice for women workers.
Last year judges at the Court of Session ruled that both a payment protection scheme introduced for men who lost bonuses in the change, and other remuneration rules, amounted to discrimination.
Women workers are said to have lost up to £4000 a year against the earnings of men in equivalent rules.
Campaign group Action 4 Equality Scotland says it could cost anywhere from £500 million to £1 billion to settle the 12,500 claims against the council. However, council leader Susan Aitken has rejected this figure, saying an estimate is impossible while talks continue, and “innovative” funding solutions will be sought.
She told BBC Radio Scotland: “The strike will have a devastating impact and there’s no need for it.
“They won their case the day that the SNP was elected to lead Glasgow City Council and we have been working ever since then to deliver them justice. We are extremely close to it and I am confident that they will get the settlement that they are entitled to and we will start paying out in the next financial year.”
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