Thousands of school children across Greenwich could be affected as teaching assistants from 11 schools go on strike tomorrow.
Taking place on Friday, May 1, teaching assistant members of the GMB union will take industrial action over a long-running dispute about London Weighting pay, with a GMB representative claiming staff feel “undervalued”.
The strike will affect more than 30 schools across Greenwich and Merton, with unions warning that as many as 12,000 pupils could be affected by tomorrow’s industrial action.
In total, more than 250 teaching assistants in Greenwich are expected to take part in the action.
Staff claim they are paid at the outer London Weighting rate, while teachers in the same schools receive inner London Weighting, leaving some support workers more than £1,000 a year worse off.
In Greenwich, strikers will assemble at General Gordon Square, Woolwich, for a 10am rally.
Helen O’Connor, GMB senior organiser, said support staff had reached breaking point.
“Our members have been fighting for this pay equality for years and have voted for strike action because they’ve had enough of being undervalued,” she said.
“Despite discussions with both councils, no offer has been made to resolve this historic but ongoing underpayment.
“It is non-negotiable for us that school support staff are treated equally with teachers in the same schools.”
Which Greenwich schools are affected
- Cardwell Primary School
- Cherry Orchard Primary School
- De Lucy Primary School
- Eltham Church of England Primary School
- Fossdene Primary School
- Linton Mead Primary School
- Meridian Primary School
- Montbelle Primary School
- Sherington Primary School
- Thomas Tallis School
- Wyborne Primary School
A Greenwich Council spokesperson said the authority respected the right of unions to take industrial action but stressed that keeping children in the classroom remained a priority.
The council said it was continuing discussions with the GMB, noting that 11 schools in the borough could be affected by the planned strike.
They said that the dispute over London Weighting was a national issue linked to historic pay agreements, rather than a decision made locally by councils, and said a national solution was ultimately required.
Full statement from Greenwich Council:
A council spokesperson said: “We respect the right of unions to take industrial action. However, the best place for children is in the classroom, and we hope for constructive discussions to minimise disruption to pupils.
“The union, who we remain in discussion with, has advised that 11 schools in Greenwich may be affected by the upcoming support staff strike action.
“This is a national issue relating to historic pay agreements, rather than local council decisions.
"When the Inner London Education Authority was abolished, teachers kept inner London pay, but this did not apply to school support staff, whose pay is still set nationally.
“The council recognises the concerns raised and continues to engage constructively with the GMB and their members, but this issue requires a national solution.”
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