Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An equal pay case is being taken against Network Rail (NR) on behalf of 34 women amid claims that female staff are earning thousands of pounds less than men for doing similar jobs.
The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association said it was taking the largest ever equal pay claim in the rail industry, claiming it could end up costing NR millions of pounds.
The union will outline details of the case at its annual conference in Cardiff today, including claims for more than £25,000 in back pay for the 34 women, who work in middle management.
General secretary Manuel Cortes said the women were “the tip of the iceberg”, adding that hundreds more claims could eventually be brought against the rail infrastructure firm.
He said an equal pay survey of 2,000 staff had revealed the pay gap of £4,500 at NR.
“That is just an average figure, in some cases the gap is as high as £10,000. This is completely unacceptable in a firm which receives the majority of its funding from the taxpayer.
“We are determined to end women being treated as second class citizens in the rail industry when it comes to pay. NR should set an example to the rest of the industry, bearing in mind the Equal Pay Act became the law of the land more than 35 years ago.”
A Network Rail spokesman said: "Network Rail is committed to fair pay practices and has agreed to work with the TSSA to review our current systems."
PA
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments