SCHOOL support staff in 35 Birmingham workplaces are preparing to walk out on strike during Sats exams week.

Their union, GMB, said that about 1,500 workers will join the action on Tuesday May 14, including teaching assistants, catering staff and grounds maintenance workers.

It comes as Birmingham City Council bosses have been slammed for delays in settling equal pay claims by women workers at the authority.

The council is due back in court this week as talks to resolve the settlement stalled.

GMB organiser Alice Reynolds said: “Birmingham’s equal pay crisis only ends when council bosses hand back the wages they have stolen from women workers.

“Birmingham City Council has been stealing wages from these workers for years and now they’re refusing to pay it back.

“Without teaching assistants and school support workers, these schools cannot run.

“Taking strike action is always a last resort, but these workers have had enough of council delays and broken promises.”