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Hundreds of school staff across Bristol go on strike
School support workers across Bristol have begun a two-day strike over a back pay dispute.
Teaching assistants, administrators, librarians, finance officers, caretakers and caterers employed by Cathedral Schools Trust took formed picket lines outside 12 schools from 7.30am on Wednesday, along with some teachers who stood in solidarity, leading to full or partial school closures.
The biggest rally was outside Bristol Cathedral Choir School and Cathedral Primary School in the city centre where scores of school staff came together to chant, wave flags and hold placards.
UNISON said the strike was sparked by the trust’s “repeated delays in implementing annual pay awards”, allegedly leaving support staff hundreds of pounds worse off each year compared to colleagues in other schools.
Although a recent pay rise has been introduced, workers are demanding full reimbursement for the five years they were “underpaid”.
The Cathedral Schools Trust told Bristol24/7 it was “disappointed” the strike action was going ahead and that it “highly values the essential roles of all our support staff”.
Jen Clarke (left) said the choice to strike “has not been taken lightly” by staff members at Cathedral Primary School – photo: Betty Woolerton
Jen Clarke, who works on the pastoral team at Cathedral Primary School, told Bristol24/7 she felt “it’s not morally right to hold back money that is ours”.
“We work really, really hard every day, coming in to support our most vulnerable families and children.
“But I feel really disappointed because a lot of us struggle financially. There are many support staff who have to take on second jobs during the holidays, and many of us face financial burdens.
“To think that there’s money that is ours that is not being paid to us is deeply angering.
“When I first found out about it, I felt so upset and angry, which is why I jumped at the chance to take a stand.
“But going on strike is not a decision taken lightly. Many people have been really conflicted and have lost sleep over it. But at the end of the day, you have to do what’s right.”
Teachers stood in solidarity with support staff at the two schools based in College Square in the city centre – photo: Betty Woolerton
Cristof, who did not wish to give his surname, is a learning support assistant at Bristol Cathedral Choir School who said the best part of his job was “the little victories dotted around your days”.
Speaking about his reasons for taking industrial action, Cristof said: “It’s not fair to be taking money from support staff, who are likely to be the least paid already.”
“The cost of living has risen drastically over the last ten years, and Bristol is probably one of the most expensive places in the UK to live. It’s not easy.
“Many of us have to do several jobs on the side in order to be able to save a bit of money at the end of each month.
“I don’t like eating pasta every day. It all just makes me a bit disappointed in the system.”
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Jane Palmer, 65, has worked as a learning support assistant and lunchtime supervisor at Ashton Gate Primary School for over 20 years.
She said: “We don’t want to be on strike, because we care about the children and their education.
“We want to be in working with the children and helping them learn so I just really hope that trust will make us an offer quickly.”
Jane Palmer joined the picket line outside Ashton Gate Primary School – photo: Amelia Shaw
A teacher also outside the school in Southville who did not want to be named said: “Without these guys, we couldn’t do our job.
“They go above and beyond every day – they’re in early, they stay late, they miss breaks. We genuinely couldn’t do it without them.”
“I’m absolutely gobsmacked that they don’t see that the right thing to do is fix this,” he added.
Support staff gathered on a picket line outside Ashton Gate Primary School – photo: Amelia Shaw
In response, a spokesperson for Cathedral Schools Trust said: “We highly value the essential roles of all our support staff, and the board of trustees was pleased to reach positive agreements on four of the five matters raised.
“We are therefore disappointed that strike action, which was balloted before these agreements were finalised, has still been called.
“To support colleagues, the trust has made significant financial commitments, but we must also protect school budgets to ensure we can continue delivering the high-quality education our young people deserve.
“Our focus now is on supporting our schools to minimise disruption and maintain the best possible learning experience for our pupils and families.”
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
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