Early years workers in North Lanarkshire have voted overwhelmingly for strike action over the council’s ‘fire and rehire’ plans which would leave workers thousands of pounds worse off.
The council is proposing to make early years practitioners (grade 9) redundant or asking them to work at a lower wage (grade 7). That means full-time staff could see a pay cut of up to £6,500, says UNISON. The proposals would affect 375 workers.
UNISON’s ballot closed today on Monday (June 26) and saw an overwhelming majority (97%) vote to reject the plans to downgrade their posts and to take strike action on a 77% turnout, which is well above the threshold needed under trade union laws. The results were being announced to workers at meetings across the council this evening and UNISON is now preparing for strike action which will close nursery schools.
Marie Quiqley, UNISON North Lanarkshire branch secretary, said: “These fire and rehire plans are outrageous proposals. I had hoped the council would have seen sense by now. They are jeopardising children’s entire education if they don’t ensure young people are properly supported from the very start. Strike action is not something these workers wanted. But early years practitioners have made it very clear they will take action unless these plans are scrapped.”
“At a time when it’s harder than ever to make ends meet, these mostly women workers are being asked to do the same work for considerably less. The council needs to put an immediate end to these plans and start prioritising children, and the workforce our young people rely upon. The whole community has been rallying in support of these workers, it’s high time the council realised their value too.”
UNISON regional organiser, Audrey Malloy said: “These are the workers who nurture young children and prepare them for school, identifying their needs and ensuring they are met. Demands on early years practitioners are increasing because they’re seeing more children with increased educational needs, as a result of being unable to socialise during the pandemic. The council now needs to think again.”
Notes to editors:
UNISON is the union for early years workers and it is Scotland’s biggest public service union.
UNISON’s formal strike ballot ran from Monday, June 5 until 10am on Monday, June 26. Full Results for industrial action in the form of strike action. Total number voting “Yes”: 96.82%, Total number voting “No”: 3.18%,Turnout: 76.90%
Link to 5000 signature petition supporting early years workers: https://chng.it/FVrQ8fSQ7p
Film of March 30 demonstration in Motherwell outside council offices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPFcj89tBAU
For more information contact:
Marie Quigley, UNISON North Lanarkshire branch secretary: 07810 698274
Audrey Malloy: 07946 555 186
Danny Phillips: 07944 664110