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School support staff strike in pay dispute
Support staff at six schools across Bristol went on strike on Tuesday due to a dispute over pay.
Some teachers joined their colleagues rather than crossing the picket lines.
National Education Union (NEU) members at Montpelier High School, Merchants’ Academy, Venturers’ Academy, Bannerman Road Community Academy, Barton Hill Academy and Fairlawn Primary School are also due to strike on July 9 and July 10.
Until 2024, these schools were part of the Venturers Trust; with the NEU claiming that ex-Venturers Trust support staff are owed up to nine years of backpay by E-ACT, the multi-academy trust who now control the schools.
School support staff are awarded an annual cost-of-living pay uplift agreed in October or November and backdated to April when the award takes effect but former Venturers Trust schools now part of E-ACT only backpay this to September; meaning that support staff in former Venturers Trust schools claim they have lost out on five months of the pay uplift year-on-year.
At Montpelier High School, strikers were stood in front of three of the schools’ entrances on Cheltenham Road
NEU co-workplace rep, Sheila Pandya, told Bristol24/7 that teachers joining the support staff on strike was “massive”.
“It’s amazing to see the solidarity from teachers and it shows the support staff they’re not alone,” said Pandya.
“It makes me feel so proud to be part of the MHS community.”
Pandya added: “Why is it okay for our support staff to not be paid fairly? That’s just immoral. It’s not okay and we need to stand up for what’s right.”
Striking support staff at Montpelier High School were stood in front of three of the school’s entrances on Cheltenham Road – photo: Martin Booth
In a previous statement sent to Bristol24/7, an E-ACT spokesperson said the trust has “taken comprehensive legal advice and remains confident that staff have been paid appropriately and lawfully both under the Venturers Trust and since they have become part of E-ACT, and there is no legal basis for a claim to backdated wages”.
The spokesperson from external public relations agency, Denford Associates, paid for by E-ACT, added: “The NEU union accepts there is no legal or contractual basis to this industrial action, which will disrupt hard-working Bristol families and negatively impact children’s education, but nevertheless seems intent on striking.”
Main photo & video: Martin Booth
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