In recent months, Usdaw has been discussing this issue with a number of employers, including Tesco, in preparation for the introduction of mandatory gender pay gap reporting later this year. This is a change in the law which requires larger employers to publish information regarding differences in pay between men and women.
Equal pay will continue to be high on our negotiating agenda.
Usdaw is actively engaging with all employers where we organise, to establish the facts as to whether there are potential issues with equal pay for work of equal value.
The Union will take the appropriate steps, whether through negotiations or legal channels, to address any issues that may be identified as part of this process.
Usdaw is not part of the reported legal claim.
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion