Derby school support staff accept offer 


UNISON members employed as school support staff in Derby have voted overwhelmingly to accept the City council’s latest offer to settle a 10-month dispute over pay and working time.


The council had imposed changes last June that meant staff lost up to £6,000 a year, as their contracts were reduced from 52 to 44.5 weeks. Their weekly hours were also increased from 32.5 to 37 with no extra pay.


Since the beginning of the dispute, school support staff have staged a series of protests culminating in all out industrial action last month. Overall, there were 73 days of industrial action in the dispute. 


The settlement includes compensation to staff who have lost pay; a 52-week flexible contract from September; and a review of grades and job descriptions.


UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said the support staff were relieved the dispute was behind them. They could now concentrate on the great work they do helping children in the city’s schools “with their heads held high, knowing that the value of the work they do for children and schools has been recognised”.


https://www.unison.org.uk/news/press-release/2017/04/derby-school-support-staff-vote-ends-ten-month-dispute-says-unison