School support staff unions accept £1,290 pay deal
Agreement follows biggest support staff union falling short in ballot for strike action Agreement follows biggest support staff union falling short in ballot for strike action Unions representing school support staff have accepted a pay rise worth at least £1,290 after the biggest failed to meet the threshold for strike action. Unison and GMB confirmed this week their staff have accepted the offer for the 2024-25 financial year, which began in April. The deal is lower than the almost £2,000 offer accepted in both 2022-23 and 2023-24. The rise this year equates to 5.77 per cent for the lowest-paid workers. Unions had asked for an increase of either £3,000 or 10 per cent, whichever is higher. Failed strike ballot Unison, the biggest support staff union, balloted its 345,000 member in schools and local government for strike action. But not enough workers voted to meet the threshold meaning it has now accepted the deal, its head of local government Mike Short said. Pay for council-employed school support staff is negotiated between local authorities – referred to …
