Local Government Service Group Conference 14-15 June 2009

Getting school based staff involved in the union

Carol Ball

UNISON will develop a co-ordinated strategy to support school based staff and give them the chance to participate fully in the union.

The Local Government Conference agreed a range of measures to support the identification, recruitment and training of school based staff.

It also called for measures to facilitate time off for stewards, including backfilling, and advice on protocols with the teaching unions.

Proposing the motion for the national Service Group Executive, Scotland’s Carol Ball told Conference of the two-tier working environment that exists in schools. “You need to work in a school to appreciate this”, said Carol.

“Many Heads take every opportunity to increase tasks and levels of responsibility of school support staff, leading to heavier workloads and longer hours with little or no recognition in pay levels.

“How does this make staff feel valued?” she challenged.

“There has to be a significant cultural shift to ensure that school staff not only receive improved pay and conditions but also the confidence and support to ensure they are not undermined.”

That can be best achieved through workplace trade union organisation.” She described the different negotiating structures across the UK and to ensure that members are properly represented and protected.

“This strategy is essential to ensure that school support staff who are vital to the delivery of quality education, receive their ‘just desserts’ in terms of training, career progression and appropriate levels of pay”.

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