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Strike days announced at 12 schools across Bristol
Support staff at a dozen schools across Bristol have confirmed that they will be striking for at least two days in November in a dispute over pay.
UNISON confirmed that Cathedral Schools Trust staff will strike over back pay on November 5 and 6.
Teaching assistants, administrators, librarians, finance officers, caretakers and caterers will all walk out, with school closures likely.
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Schools that form part of Cathedral Schools Trust are:
- Ashton Gate Primary School
- Bristol Cathedral Choir School
- Cathedral Primary School
- Headley Park Primary School
- Henleaze Infant School
- Henleaze Junior School
- Hotwells Primary School
- St Katherine’s School
- St Werburgh’s Primary School
- Stoke Park Primary School
- Trinity Academy Bristol
- Victoria Park Primary School
The strike follows a ballot in which 92 per cent of staff backed industrial action after claiming that they have been missing out on hundreds of pounds every year because of an alleged failure to implement annual pay awards.
Staff are now demanding five years of back pay.
UNISON South West regional secretary, Kerry Baigent, said: “School support staff are the backbone of the education system.
“They support children’s learning and wellbeing every day.
“At long last, these workers have had a pay rise that’s been implemented on time, but that doesn’t undo the damage of the past.
“Staff have already lost thousands of pounds through delayed awards year after year.
“The trust must do the right thing and pay the money back, so staff get the reward and respect they deserve.”
Cathedral Choir School is among the 12 schools that form the Cathedral Schools Trust – photo: Martin Booth
In a statement earlier in October, a Cathedral Schools Trust spokesperson said: “We highly value the crucial role of our support and professional service colleagues and have been working closely with the unions to reach a resolution that is in the best interest of our staff, schools and pupils…
“Following detailed discussions, our Board of Trustees was pleased to share that we will be aligning with the NJC pay scales and terms and conditions.
“In addition, whilst we have always carefully complied with all legal pay obligations and there is no outstanding back pay owed, the Board confirmed that as a gesture of goodwill, CST will implement the cost-of-living increases from 1st April moving forward, and as a further gesture of goodwill, will implement the current increase from 1st April 2025…
“We are committed to providing the best possible education and support for our pupils and highly value the integral role that our support and professional service colleagues play in helping us to achieve this.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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