Monday 2 February 2026
For immediate release
Teaching assistants at Camden school begin another four-day strike tomorrow, says UNISON
More than 30 teaching assistants at Richard Cobden Primary School in Camden will take four days of strike action from tomorrow (Tuesday) in an ongoing dispute over pay, UNISON says today (Monday).
The workers have already taken eleven days of action following a school restructure that led to job cuts and increased the workloads for remaining staff.
Teaching assistants represented by UNISON are calling for their pay grades to recognise the essential work that they do, and that is already paid in some schools in Camden.
The union says the current level does not reflect the skills, experience and level of responsibility required for the role. That leaves many staff struggling on low pay during a cost-of-living crisis.
UNISON London regional organiser Nathan Burns said: “Teaching assistants provide vital support to pupils every day, including children with special educational needs.
“They deserve fair pay and proper recognition for the work they do.
“Despite repeated efforts to resolve the issue through negotiations, the employer hasn’t come up with an acceptable offer. It’s not too late to give staff the proper wage rise they deserve.”
UNISON Camden branch secretary Liz Wheatley said: “Our members love working with pupils and helping them get the best education possible. But that can’t be done on the cheap and by trading on the goodwill of workers – they still have bills to pay.
“Pupils and staff deserve better, and this strike is to win for all of them.”
Notes to editors:
– Picket lines will be running at:
29 Camden St, NW1 0LL, 7:30am – 9:15am, Tuesday 3 – Friday 6 February
– Dates already taken – Oct 14-16, Nov 18-21, Dec 15-18
– 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:
Emma Davey E: e.davey@unison.co.uk M: 07432 733187
