AN EDUCATION union is considering setting up a campaign inspired by County Durham teaching assistants.

Some of the staff, who are campaigning against changes to their contracts, appeared at ATL’s conference in Liverpool.

Members of the union, along with those from Unison, took industrial action last year in protest of attempts by Durham County Council to pay them during term-time only.

ATL members voted in favour of a motion to consider setting up a campaign with the aim of all support staff moving back to 52-week contracts, noting that there was an increase in using term-time support staff in schools as a “cost-cutting device”.

Durham County Council is currently working with unions on a review of teaching assistants roles and responsibilities.