Teaching assistants at St Luke’s Primary School to strike over cuts, says UNISON
Staff at St Luke’s Primary School in Tower Hamlets are to take two days of strike action over proposals to cut teaching assistant jobs, says UNISON today (Friday).
Workers at the school, represented by UNISON, will walk out on Tuesday 1 and Thursday 3 April in response to plans to slash the number of teaching assistant roles.
UNISON says the cuts will have a devastating impact on the support given to students, leaving remaining staff overstretched and unable to provide the quality of education every child deserves.
UNISON Tower Hamlets branch secretary Kerie Anne said: “Teaching assistants are essential to ensuring children are safe, properly supported and receive the best education possible at school.
“Finances may be stretched, but these cuts are not the answer – the school must consider alternative ways to save money.”
Teaching assistant Natalie, who will be joining the strike, said: “We work tirelessly to support children in the classroom, and we see first hand how much they need us.
“If these cuts go ahead, children will suffer – especially those with special education needs and other difficulties.
“None of us want to be on strike, but we feel we have no other option.”
Notes to editors:
– Picket lines will be in place on Tuesday and Thursday from 7.30am to 9.30am for photographs and interviews at St Luke’s Primary School, Saunders Ness Road, London, E14 3EB.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contact:
Rosie Sammut M: 07958 063188 E: r.sammut@unison.co.uk
