Support staff at two schools in North Lincolnshire have voted overwhelmingly for strike action over plans that could lead to job losses and significant pay cuts.
St Mary’s in Brigg and St Bernadette’s in Scunthorpe are among 22 schools in the Our Lady of Lourdes and St Ralph Sherwin trusts who have backed industrial action by majorities of 98% and 94%.
The workers include teaching assistants, administrative staff, chaplaincy teams and other support roles at schools across the whole of Lincolnshire, as well as Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
Strike action is due to take place on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 March.
UNISON says proposals put forward by the trusts could see some staff lose more than 20% of their annual income. Others are at risk of redundancy, while those who remain could end up with heavier workloads for significantly less pay, the union warns.
Staff are also concerned about the potential impact on pupils. They say fewer support workers in classrooms and around school grounds means children could lose access to essential support and supervision.
UNISON regional schools lead Josie Lloyd said: “School support staff are dedicated workers who take enormous pride in helping pupils. But cuts like these simply aren’t acceptable.
“Slashing the wages of some of the lowest-paid employees, while expecting them to do the same or even more work, is neither fair nor sustainable.
“Staff want to be in school helping pupils thrive. The trusts can’t be allowed to balance their books on the backs of workers struggling to make ends meet.”
Notes:
– UNISON represents hundreds of support staff across schools in the Nottingham Catholic Diocese, including teaching assistants, midday supervisors, administrative staff and chaplaincy teams.
– The trusts operate the following schools:
St Ralph Sherwin – St Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy, Derby; St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Marple; The Priory Catholic Voluntary Academy, Nottinghamshire; St John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy, Ilkeston; St Alban’s Catholic Primary School, Derby; English Martyrs Catholic Voluntary Academy, Long Eaton; St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Glossop; St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Derby; St Thomas’s Catholic Primary School, Ilkeston; St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy, Buxton; St Charles’ Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy, Glossop; St Elizabeth’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Belper; Holy Rosary, Burton-on-Trent; St Joseph’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Matlock; St Katherine’s House, Derby.
Our Lady of Lourdes – St Mary’s, Brigg; St Bernadette’s, Scunthorpe; Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, Newark; St Hugh’s Catholic Primary School, Lincoln; St Edmund Campion Catholic Primary School, West Bridgford; St Patrick’s Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy, Wilford; Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Primary School, Sleaford; Our Lady of Perpetual Succour RC Primary School, Nottingham.
