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
The conference started continuing discussions about the debate on poverty. And then moved onto a debate on the motion surrounding attacks on democracy. Then a speech from Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON. Dave made a tribute to Jo Cox and the mass murder in Orlando, he also made a special mention to the School Support Staff on strike in Derby and Durham. Then debates took place on the motions for Living Standards, pay justice and the living wage, and Funding for National Minimum Wage.
Wendy Nichols – UNISON President delivered a opening address and welcomed everyone to the National Delegate Conference. Wendy then payed tribute to members who have sadly passed away over the last year and a moment of silence was held with special mention of MP Jo Cox.