Around 140,000 support staff working in England’s schools will be balloted for strike action from today after rejecting a pay rise of at least £1,925.
Unison, the biggest school support staff union, has launched the national ballot after warning the offer from councils is “nowhere near what’s needed to meet rising prices during the cost of living crisis”.
In February, public service workers employed by councils were offered an increase of at least £1,925 from April. The deal would have represented a 9.42 per cent rise for the lowest-paid, and 3.88 per cent for those above the top of the spine.
But Unison, along with the GMB and Unite, which also represent some support staff, rejected the deal. They had called for a 12.7 per cent rise, which they said amounted to 2 per cent above projected inflation.
