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School Support Staff Industrial Action – Important Statement – Thursday 2 March 2017

UNISON are deeply disappointed by the actions of Derby City Council Leader Ranjit Banwait following actions designed to undermine talks aimed at resolving the long running school support staff dispute. At the request of UNISON, Derby City Council had today agreed to talks mediated by the dispute resolution service ACAS, only for Cllr Banwait to leave early to attend another meeting.

UNISON Regional Head of Local Government Andy Belfield, said

“We’re not only sad and disappointed by Cllr Banwait’s decision to leave early to take part in prearranged media interviews condemning the negotiations. Frankly we find the behaviour of the Derby City Council Leader to be verging on the bizarre. To claim a prior, pressing commitment elsewhere, only to quickly appear in the media undermining the very negotiations he was too busy to take part in, is disingenuous at best, and hugely damaging to the prospects of finding a resolution to this dispute.

School support staff have now taken over 60 days of industrial action, resulting in significant disruption across the City of Derby. Cllr Banwait’s failure to prioritise talks, actively dismiss the goodwill of UNISON members in entering into talks with ACAS, and actively undermine those talks, is hugely disappointing. I have no doubt that the people and communities of Derby will be just as saddened as we are by his behaviour.”

Despite his behaviour UNISON is still in these talks. I think that parents in Derby would prefer him to join us. Their children deserve better.

The school staff dispute is now into its ninth month, after more than 2700 staff had their terms and conditions changed by Derby City Council in June 2016. Those staff have lost up to 25% of their pay, with many losing more than £5000 p/a.

UNISON understands the Cllr Banwait arranged his media appearance with ITV yesterday evening, in advance of the ACAS mediated meeting.

Adrian Morgan
Regional Organiser UNISON

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Campaigns Demonstration Derby City Council News Newsletter Schools UNISON

School Support Staff – Urgent Statement Wednesday 1 March 2017

At tonight’s full council meeting, a group of parents from across Derby spoke out from the public gallery, making clear their concern about the Council’s approach to the school support staff dispute. Unfortunately, following the parent’s protests, the Council suspended the meeting and cleared the public gallery. UNISON Derby City firmly believes that the feelings and concerns of parents should be listened to, and that their actions this evening are borne of frustration that they are not being heard. UNISON stands in solidarity with parents impacted by the dispute and shares their hope that the dispute can be brought to a swift conclusion that is acceptable to both sides. The only way this dispute will come to an end is through productive and meaningful talks, where both sides are willing to make meaningful compromises.

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School Support Staff Industrial Action – Important Update Tuesday 28 February 2017

 

UNISON has given notice to Derby City Council of the intention for School Support Staff to take a further ten days of industrial action commencing on Monday 6 March 2017.

This weeks action will include:

Wednesday 1 March, our School Support Staffs action will take place in Derby City Centre and at the Council House.

Thursday 2 March the UNISON senior negotiators are to meet Derby City Councillors with ACAS  to mediate.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank parents and the communities of Derby for their continued support. The people of Derby recognise that school support staff did not want to take on this fight, but it is a fight for a sustainable and effective education system in our City, and for the future of all our children and young people.
While involved in the dispute, school support staff will be completing further professional development, including behaviour management and aspergers and autism training, as well as continuing to put pressure on the Council to take part in serious and meaningful negotiations.
#getbehindthem
#togetherwearestronger

UNISON Schools Team