HARINGEY school staff's plans to stage a three-day walkout next week have been condemned by a top councillor.

The action comes as the public services union, Unison, enters its second year of campaigning for a capital-wide £4,000 level of London weighting.

Schools that will be affected if the strikes go ahead next week will be Broadwater Farm, Devonshire Hill and Mulberry primary schools, as well as the Stonecroft, Plevna and White Hart Lane centres for the under-fives.

Cllr Judy Bax, Haringey's lead member for education and lifelong learning has slammed the Unison action.

She said: "I am very disappointed that it is targeted at schools with the most needy children particularly Mulberry School for children with special needs.

"We are also concerned that closing the under-fives centres will hit families in needy areas and the people who suffer will be those parents who lose pay, as well as the children."

Since the end of 2002, Unison has orchestrated several selective strikes of council workers, which have led to the closure of schools and the disruption of a number of key council services.

So far, the only offer from the local government employers has been a £201 yearly increase for those who earn less than £14,000 a year, which has been dismissed by Unison chiefs as "far too little, far too late".

Despite the attack by Cllr Bax, Haringey Unison branch secretary Sean Fox is determined to go ahead with the strike.

He said: "Our members are sick of being treated in this way £4,000 is actually quite a modest amount to cover the additional cost of living and working in the capital. They will not stand for this blatant injustice.

"We will continue to press the message home right through the summer, and beyond if necessary."

The first three-day walkout will take place from next Wednesday and will be repeated on a further three days from May 20.

Striking workers are also due to hold a rally outside St Michael's Church Hall in Bounds Green Road, Bounds Green, on Wednesday morning.

May 1, 2003 10:30