Derby school support staff are taking a second consecutive week of strike action as their dispute with the city council nears seven months without agreement, says UNISON.
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis will unveil a new Derby campaign advert tomorrow (Tuesday) that will tour shopping centres across the city, highlighting the individual wage cuts of up to £400 per month that staff have suffered.
Last week teaching assistants and their school support colleagues took strike action each morning, and this week they’ll be walking out every afternoon.
Derby teaching assistants will strike between 12pm and 6pm. They’ll be leafleting the city centre and talking to workers and shoppers about the dispute.
UNISON East Midlands regional secretary Helen Black said: “Teaching assistants want to be back in the classroom, not inconveniencing parents, children or colleagues.
“These unfair pay cuts are causing real financial difficulties to school support staff who are already low paid.
“Support staff want to be doing their jobs, making sure children get the best from their schooling, but that’s hard when they are worried about how they are going to keep a roof over their head.”
Notes to editors:
There will be a photo opportunity as Dave Prentis unveils the campaign advan at 1pm tomorrow (Tuesday) at Bingham Street, near Allenton Shopping Precinct (DE24 9AB).
The advan will then go to Park Farm shopping centre, Allestree DE22 2QN for 1.45-2pm, then to Chaddesden shopping centre DE21 6LZ for 2.45-3pm.
The wording on the advan will read: Derby’s Labour council cut school support staff wages by 25%. That’s £400 a month. Could you cope?
Media contacts:
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
