Council and school support staff begin voting on strike action and wages
More than a third of a million community and school workers across England and Wales will begin voting on Tuesday on whether to go on strike over pay.
Unison said a £1,925 package deal was “not nearly” enough to cover rising prices during the cost of living crisis.
The union, which had called for a 2% increase against inflation, said the value of local government salaries had fallen by 25% since 2010.
All too often, community and school support staff are taken for granted. Without them, the services that entire communities depend on would not exist
The six-week poll, which ends in early July, includes garbage collectors, social workers, teaching assistants, librarians and others who work at 4,000 different employers.
A separate ballot for Northern Ireland will open in August.
Unison General Secretary Christina McAnea said: “Far too often, council and school support staff are taken for granted. Without them, the services that entire communities depend on would not exist.
“Because of cuts in local government and education budgets, employees are having to do more with a lot less. This puts tremendous pressure on an already overburdened workforce, who are struggling to stay afloat as costs continue to rise.
“Workers are quitting their jobs because wages continue to fall, and the neighborhood will suffer.
“The bins are not being picked up, schools are understaffed and vulnerable people are being deprived of vital support.
“These workers are really dedicated, but they have enough. A strike is a big step that is not taken lightly, but many feel they must resist.
“Employers can do far better, but ministers must also work to ensure that local government has the resources it needs to ensure staff are paid a decent wage and services are protected.”
https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/council-and-school-support-staff-begin-voting-on-strike-action-over-pay-b1082952.html Council and school support staff begin voting on strike action and wages
