Care workers have joined the legal fight to get equal pay, with the union GMB adding three more employers to the High Court battle.
Rotherwood Healthcare, Bowood Care Homes and Avery Homes (Lucas Court) have been added to the ongoing legal proceedings in the High Court to win equal pay for 73 people employed in female dominated, predominantly caring roles.
GMB argues that paying female workers less than men in comparable roles is discrimination and against the law. The women involved are considered to carry out work equal to that of their male counterparts, but their terms and conditions are less favourable.
Avery Homes is part of Avery Healthcare Group which runs 44 care homes across the UK, while Rotherwood Healthcare operates six homes and Bowood Care Homes and Avery Homes (Lucas Court) have one each.
GMB national secretary, Justin Bowden, said, “As the latest step in GMB’s campaign to make Avery Homes pay their staff fairly, rather than paying most of them less because they are women, we have instructed our lawyers Leigh Day to add Rotherwood Healthcare, Bowood Care Homes and Avery Homes to the High Court legal proceedings. Despite their pivotal role caring for residents, Avery Healthcare has paid female workers substantially less than their male counterparts for years.”
“The fact that female workers have ended up worse off simply because of their gender is not only an outrage in the 21st century but against the law and GMB intends to make sure that these workers get what they deserve.”
Chris Benson, acting for the GMB legal team, said, “Female members of GMB working as carers for local authorities have secured equal pay with the support of the Union. Many also received back pay as well as better terms and conditions going forward.”
“Those care staff compared themselves against jobs done by men such as caretakers and other male dominated roles.”
“Carers working for Avery believe they are also underpaid and with the assistance of GMB have issued claims to ensure they too receive equal pay. The claims, which go back up to 6 years, could see members recover thousands of pounds in back pay they have been denied.”
The additions follow GMB’s instruction to lawyers to begin legal action against Avery Health Care in December 2015. The union are seeking compensation of six years’ back pay for women who have been paid unfairly due to discrimination.
