Parents across County Durham give backing to teaching assistants on first day of strike action over pay

More than 100 schools across the county were affected by the walk-out by members of the trade unions Unison and ATL, with 43 closed completely.

Unison estimates more than 1,000 teaching assistants were on strike because of changes Durham County Council is making to their contracts which will see them paid during term-time only.

• Full list of school closures across County Durham

The authority, which says the current contracts are unfair and create an equal pay risk from other employees, is planning to sack those teaching assistants who have not accepted the new contracts in January.

Other teaching assistants who have accepted the council's offer will have their contracts varied from April 2017. 

Teaching assistants set up pickets outside around 50 schools on Monday to answer parents' questions and hand out leaflets.

Lisa Shaw, one of seven teaching assistants picketing at Toft Hill School, near Bishop Auckland, said: "This is absolutely not what we want to do. It is breaking our hearts, but if these cuts happen it is going to have a massive impact on, not just us, but also the children.

Teaching assistants and supporters strike outside Timothy Hackworth Primary School. Picture: Helen Cole

"The parents have been really supportive and they see how much we care about the kids."

There was a strong picket line outside Escomb Primary School and early year’s practitioners and nursery assistants from Aclet Close Nursery School,

in Bishop Auckland, joined teaching assistants at nearby Cockton Hill Junior and Infants Schools before going to Bishop Auckland town centre to raise awareness.

Perrie Newton, of Aclet Close Nursery School, said: “Many years ago it was about helping out in classes and doing things like washing paint brushes.

“Now we have so much to do with intervention, such as behaviour and speech and language. We are responsible for children.

“We are not going to stand back and take this. We are all passionate about working with children.

“The responsibilities are massive and the children will be affected if the cuts are allowed to happen.”

Video: Strike action outside Toft Hill Primary School

Elsewhere, mother-of-five Ruth Blanchard, from Annfield Plain, was one of about 20 parents to join strikers on the picket line outside St Patrick’s School in Dipton.

She said: “We want to show our support for the teaching assistants. I think they need a pay increase. I was ignorant to what they get paid before this – it has made me realise how little they get paid for the hours they do and all the extra hours they do.

“They go above and beyond every single day and they don’t get the appreciation they deserve.”

Speaking outside Belmont Cheveley Primary School, near Durham, mother Heather Deagle, from Gilesgate, said: “I support them – I think it’s disgusting what has happened. It’s definitely something the parents are behind.

“I know for a fact the teaching assistants at this school work particularly hard, they never seem to stop. My son has a mild form of autism and I don’t think without them he could come to this school."

Martin Clarke, from Belmont, said: “I think a lot of parents are behind it. We want what’s best for our kids. Reducing staff or changing the terms they’re operating on is always going to have a detrimental effect on the overall provision of service.”

Philip Scope, from Carrville, added: “I think 'good on them'. They should be getting a pay rise because they make a massive difference.”

Strike action outside Ox Close Primary School, Spennymoor. Pictures: TOM BANKS

Strike action outside North Park Primary School, Spennymoor. Pictures: TOM BANKS

John Hewitt, the council's corporate director for resources, described the strike as "disappointing".

He said: “We appreciate and are grateful for the work of headteachers, governors and staff who kept most schools and classes open at what is clearly a difficult time, helping to minimise disruption for children and parents.

“Looking ahead, our pupils’ education remains of paramount importance and we will work with schools to mitigate any further disruption.”

Teaching assistants voted to strike last month following more than a year of negotiations.

Mr Hewitt added: “These changes – which see us following in the footsteps of all but one other authority in the North East, and many nationally - are about equal pay, not about cuts or austerity, and bringing teaching assistants into line with all other staff at the council.

“We appreciate this is an emotive subject but it is not one that we can ignore – The legal advice is clear that the status quo is not fair and we cannot continue to pay people for hours and weeks they do not work.

“To do nothing risks many millions of pounds of equal pay claims which would have a devastating effect on the services we can provide and jobs. That equal pay risk is very real and we have now received claims using TAs as a comparator.

“However, just because we have to do this, does not mean that we do not value our staff. We have worked extensively and consulted and negotiated for 14 months to try and minimise the impact on them, by offering compensation and increased hours."

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis, who announced a £150,000 hardship fund for the strikers on Monday, is due to address a rally at Durham Miners' Association in Redhills, on Wednesday.

Teaching assistants are also planning to meet at County Hall in Durham to lobby the council further.