Call UNISON direct on 0800 0 857 857.
We’re all glad to see pupils back in classrooms, but it’s important the return is safe for staff, pupils, parents and the wider community. We know that many school support staff have been worried about facing the new school term. The government produced guidance in July, but we don’t believe it goes far enough to keep […]
UNISON Eastern has welcomed the Fire Brigades Union Eastern Region’s backing for education workers opposing the reopening of schools. Nine unions representing teachers, support staff and heads issued a joint statement this month urging the government not to push on with increasing pupil numbers until it is safe to do so. In a letter to local […]
Tim Roberts looks at the shocking results of new TUC survey on the job retention scheme in his latest blog post
Regional convenor Becky Tye takes over the blog this week to take encourage school support staff to stand up for safety
Southend school staff have fought off changes to holiday pay calculations that could have left them thousands of pounds a year worse off. Around 350 staff in community schools would have seen their pay drop by between £40 and £2,800 each year after Southend Council proposed changes to the formula for calculating holiday pay for […]
School bosses say student numbers are predicted to fall, while the school has a higher number of TAs than other primaries. UNISON says that is down to a high number of pupils with […]
Rushed government reopening plans have led to guidelines on ‘safe’ class sizes being ignored by some schools in the East of England, according to a survey published by UNISON today. Nearly a quarter (23%) of support staff say primary schools have operated class sizes bigger than the 15 pupils per group maximum recommended to maintain social distancing. The data was compiled from the responses of […]
School support staff regularly go home worried about pupils’ welfare, safety and emotional state after discussing issues such as grooming, gangs, domestic violence, bullying, loneliness, and sexual abuse with them, according to a survey released by UNISON today. The research suggests that across the east of England more than a quarter (28%) of school support […]
UNISON is the largest union for school support staff and local UNISON branches have been very busy this year, working hard to support members on a wide range of issues in the hundreds of schools, most of which are no longer local authority controlled. UNISON has been supporting members involved in TUPE transfers, reorganisations as […]
The regional schools forum meets approximately three times a year for reps from schools from across the Eastern region to network, share good practice, discuss the latest school guidance and meet their branch school workers. There is often guest speakers who speak about issues affecting members working in schools. This is a really enjoyable meeting […]
Care workers, refuse collectors, social workers, teaching assistants, community workers, street cleaners and so many others go above and beyond every single day. Local government staff keep communities safe, clean and accessible, yet there is often little or no recognition for your hard work. With the cost-of-living skyrocketing to new highs every day, it’s time […]
Support staff at a Sudbury primary school have called off further strikes after accepting a new deal saving most of their jobs, UNISON announces today. Two dozen classroom assistants and midday supervisors at Pot Kiln Primary took three days of strikes in April and May after the school announced plans to sack 15 staff to […]
Schools staff have joined UNISON in record numbers in recent weeks, understanding the importance of coming together to make classrooms safe in these trying times. The resources on this page are intended to help you and your colleagues through any issues you have. UNISON’s latest advice on the constantly changing government advice can be found […]
Teaching assistants at a special needs school in Braintree are being bitten, kicked and spat on but managers are doing nothing about the violence, school support staff union UNISON warns today. A survey of support staff at The Edith Borthwick School found that 82% are worried about levels of violence, but only 19% of respondents […]
