The GMB trade union warned last week that it is balloting school and council workers across South East England for potential strike action from November onwards. 

School workers such as teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors, caretakers and administrative staff, and council workers including social workers, refuse collectors, grounds staff and care workers, will take part in the ballot, which opened on 12 September and will close on 24 October. 

Staff of more than 600 schools and local authorities are said to be involved. They include staff of East Sussex County Council and of the University of Brighton Academies Trust, which includes Hastings Academy, St Leonards Academy and the primary/infant schools of Baird, Churchwood, Dudley and Silverdale. St Richards School in Bexhill, Saxon Mount and Torfield, and the primary schools of Guestling Bradshaw, St Mary’s Star of the Sea and Sacred Heart are among others involved.

The issue is rates of pay – whether to accept or reject the government pay offer for the current year 2023/24 made through the NJC (National Joint Council).

GMB National Officer Sharon Wilde said: 

“School staff, refuse collectors and council and town hall workers are the hidden glue that keeps our society together. They help our children learn, they look after our most vulnerable residents, they clean our streets and they keep us all safe. They deserve proper value for the work they do. 

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“After more than a decade of Conservative cuts and a crushing cost of living crisis, it’s time they were given the proper pay rise they need.” 

The Unison union, which represents a larger proportion of local authority workers, indicated last month that it would not be calling upon its members to strike as such action would be “ineffective”. However, members of Unite, a third union within the sector, have already voted to strike.


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https://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/news.jpghttps://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/news.jpgHIPNewsCouncil Workers,GMB,School Workers,strikeThe GMB trade union warned last week that it is balloting school and council workers across South East England for potential strike action from November onwards.  School workers such as teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors, caretakers and administrative staff, and council workers including social workers, refuse collectors, grounds staff and care...The Hastings & St Leonards non-profit community newspaper