Facebook Statement -School Support Staff – Tuesday 17 January 2017

Earlier today we posted an article to our Facebook timeline that included some aggressive language particularly relating to parents who gave up their time to volunteer in schools across Derby. There were some negative comments from parents and members of the community who were upset by the language used in the article and as a result we have removed that article. I’d like to apologise to anyone who felt that the language used in the article reflected that of UNISON or our members.

We use this page to update everyone involved in the dispute, including posting links to any articles or media coverage, and on occasion that coverage may not reflect the language or sentiment of our members or the constructive tone we always seek to strike as a trade union.

We know that parents across Derby will always do what is best for their children. However, our concern and that of our members is – and will remain – the safety and wellbeing of children and young people across the City, and we regret the Council’s decision to allow untrained or security checked people into schools today.

Teaching assistants and school support staff are – rightly – highly trained and security checked, and our dispute with Derby Council is in no small part a fight to maintain those high standards for the benefit of the whole community.

We are hugely appreciative of the encouragement we have received from right across the communities of Derby, and parents in particular, since the beginning of this dispute and would like to thank you again for your continued support.

Nicole Berrisford – Branch Secretary