Living Wage claim for academy support staff

Public sector union UNISON is to submit a Living Wage claim to all academy school chains where the union has national recognition.

This move is part of the union’s campaign for the Living Wage to become the new minimum rate of pay for school support staff in UK schools.

Jon Richards, the union’s national secretary of education and children’s services, said school support staff have a vital role to play in making sure that children in school get the best possible start in life. “But,” he said, “many are struggling to look after their families because of low pay, pay freezes and rising food and energy bills.

“As a result, thousands of low-paid support staff will face making the terrible choice between heating and eating this winter."

The academy chain REAch2 has set an example to other academies by agreeing to negotiate implementation of the Living Wage with UNISON.

Over the course of the 2012-13 academic year, REAch2 went from sponsoring two academies to 11 academies across the country. And it is expanding even further in the new academic year with two primary schools in West Sussex and Croydon coming under its control.

The voluntary Living Wage is £8.55 an hour at present in London and £7.45 an hour for workers in the rest of the UK.

www.unison.org.uk/news/union-to-post-academy-living-wage-claims