Teaching assistants plan further strike action following two-day walkout

More than 1,000 members of trade unions Unison and ATL have been on strike for two days over enforced changes to their contracts.

They picketed County Hall, in Durham, on Wednesday before attending a packed-out rally at the nearby Durham Miners’ Association headquarters in Red Hills.

Speaking at the rally, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: “The first day of any industrial action is great. We are all united. We know this is a tremendous second day.

“It’s going to be more than two days. We need to show our strength and our solidarity. We need to make these councillors know we will not be defeated and we are in this for the long haul.

Striking teaching assistants hold rally at NUM HQ in Redhills Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

“If they think they can sit back and you will walk back into schools they’ve got it completely wrong.”

The striking teaching assistants are unhappy about the contract changes, which will move them to term-time only pay and ensure some lose up to 23 per cent of their salaries.

Durham County Council says it has to make the changes because the old contracts are unfair and create an equal pay risk.

Councillor Jane Brown, member for corporate services, said: “Whilst we have been negotiating on this matter for more than a year - we have repeatedly said publicly that we would be happy to continue discussions with Unison.

“We were ready to do just that and we are surprised that we have received no formal approach to meet and disappointed to hear reports suggesting that Dave Prentis said that he will not talk to the council unless we withdraw the dismissal and re-engagement letters.

“As a result, following two days of action we are still unaware of what Unison’s proposals are, beyond what we have previously discussed during negotiations.

“Our door remains open and we have reiterated that in an email to the union both regionally and nationally today.”

The action saw around 80 picket lines at schools around the county yesterday, with the walkout affecting more than 100 schools and closing 43 completely.

The council said the vast majority of pupils were able to attend school over the two days, with around 80 per cent of schools holding classes.

Teaching assistant Lisa Turnbull said: "For me we are showing an example to our children. We are showing them to hang on to resilience and to stand up and fight for what you believe in.

"Of course there has been an impact on schools, that was the reason for doing it. We had 100 per cent support from everyone.

"I've said time and time again - what about the impact on the children in our houses? Every child matters, apart from the children of teaching assistants."

Unison, which announced a £150,000 hardship fund on Monday, says it expects to announce further strike dates in the next week.