I am writing to you about a current dispute in Derby, between UNISON members working as support staff in schools and their employer Derby City Council.
There is Industrial Action being carried out by our members who are low paid and carry out fundamental roles in our community, supporting the education provision for children. They are taking action due to a pay cut of up to 25% from 1 June 2016, due to imposed changes to their Terms and Conditions by their employer. This equates to as much as £400 a month for some of these members.
Proudly our members are joining together and taking action, with the full support of their trade union, UNISON. We are overwhelmed with the dedication and participation during the Industrial Action taken to date and that the members have captured both a really strong sense of solidarity and engagement.
Derby City Council’s response has been to describe themselves as “Margaret Thatcher”; liken the School Support Staff to “striking Miners” and assert that they will “starve them back to work”. We are keen that our members aren’t starved back to work. They are not miners; this is not the 1980s.
We need support to make this a victory by donating.
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/unisonderbyschools
All donations will be gratefully received and your support will be shared with our striking members.
Yours sincerely
Nicole Berrisford
Branch Secretary
Prentis General Secretary for UNISON gave an opening address following the announcement that the result of European Union referendum was for the UK to Leave the EU. You can read his statement 
This mornings motions covered Strengthening our union: supporting and developing our stewards, supporting our activists who have to deal with stressful situations, European Union trade agreements.
