Classroom chaos looms as pay talks break down (From Warrington Guardian)

Classroom chaos looms as pay talks break down

THE new school year in Cheshire is being marred by disruption because of an ongoing dispute over pay for classroom assistants.

UNISON members have expressed their continued anger at the lack of a resolution with Cheshire County Council over its single status pay proposals, with the union claiming a new grading system would see some staff have their wages cut by up to £2,000 a year.

Following a ballot in June, they voted overwhelmingly to work strictly to their contracted hours - only staying longer if they were paid - after talks with the council broke down.

Malcolm Dolman, UNISON single status officer for Cheshire, said: "The council is not living in the real world and continues to be stubborn.

"At the moment there are no live negotiations taking place and we regret that things have come to this although our members feel that they have no choice but to continue the action."

Both sides admit they are keen to minimise the effect on children in the classroom but accept that some disruption is inevitable.

All schools are now required to grant teachers 10 per cent of their time away from the classroom, with assistants due to fill in.

In a statement the county council, which employs around 2,200 assistants in 350 schools, said: "We have made every effort to reach a mutually acceptable solution to the differences with UNISON on a new pay and grading structure, and we are disappointed this has not been possible.

"To meet UNISON'S demands would mean pledging a further £15m of taxpayer's money above the £7.6m agreed by the council.

"It is important to point out that many employees will benefit as a result of the terms and conditions of the scheme."

The council added that to date the new structure has been implemented for more than 2,000 employees, mainly women, with the vast majority receiving a pay increase as a result.