Talks aimed at settling the long-running Derby City Council school support staff strike are to be held tomorrow (Thursday).
Negotiations through the conciliation service ACAS will happen at the request of UNISON as it seeks to reach an agreement to end the nine-month dispute.
School support staff will be staging a sit-in today, (Wednesday) in public areas of the council’s offices in Corporation Street before councillors consider the budget for next year.
UNISON says councillors must use this budget opportunity to ensure there is enough money available to settle the dispute. The union has repeatedly put forward proposals that it believes could end the strike and see schools return to normal.
UNISON East Midlands regional secretary Helen Black said: “We have again asked ACAS to help reach an agreement with the city council that school support staff can sign up to.
“The dispute can only come to an end through talking and ideally that will be sooner rather than later. Children, parents and school support staff all want to get back to leading normal lives.
“The council should listen to Derby parents and use the talks to reach an honourable agreement and end this dispute.”
Notes to editors:
- UNISON has given notice of five days of industrial action from Monday 6 March to Friday 13 March.
- The conciliation service ACAS was previously involved in talks during October 2016.
Media contacts:
Adrian Morgan T: 0115 847 5462 M: 07939 478418 E: a.morgan@unison.co.uk
Alan Weaver T: 0207 121 5555 M: 07939 143310 E: a.weaver@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk
