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MSP's NURSERY NURSE BRIEFING
Communications

 

 

 

MSPs Briefing on Scotland's Nursery Nurses

January 2004

The need for a Scottish solution

Intro

The current dispute between Scotland's Nursery Nurses and their employers - Scotland's Council's has been continuing since UNISON's claim for a review of Nursery Nurse grades, and career structures was lodged over two years ago.

This was the culmination of the lack of consideration given to the low-paid status of Scotland's Nursery Nurses since 1988 - and the last review. In May industrial action started when Scotland's councils, after setting up a Scottish working group, rejected the possibility of a Scottish-wide offer.

Where are we now

Despite continuing disruption, to the early years service, consistently high levels of support for industrial action from Scotland's Nursery Nurses and from Scotland's parents there has been no resolution to the dispute.

Mainly this has been because of the refusal of CoSLA to talk about a Scotland-wide settlement since their own 'expert group' recommended a complex series of proposals that in many cases, actually reduce the hourly rate of nursery nurses. This was in September.

Action has continued on a selective basis across Scotland since September - but there has been no attempt whatsoever from CoSLA to renew any talks. UNISON's Industrial Action Committee is currently meeting to discuss the results of a further consultation amongst nursery nurses on the next round of industrial action. We will try and keep you informed of the results of that before the Education Committee Meeting.

Why do we need a Scottish Solution?

1) Nursery Nurses currently have a Scotland -wide grade. They are clear that there are considerable benefits from all nursery nurses being paid the same across Scotland.

2) To have all 32 local authorities paying different salaries would lead to authorities 'leapfrogging' - offering more where there were retention problems. This would only mean moving any staffing problem around the country.

3) The vast majority of the increased duties and responsibilities that have been added to Nursery Nurses jobs in the last 15 years have been the outcome of Scotland-wide initiatives. Examples include the 3-5 Curriculum, and the 13 education and care standards set by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care etc.

4) The Local councils' Job Evaluation Scheme that is supposed to precede any move towards the adoption of the Single Status Agreement is not ready. Indeed the employers themselves have asked for numerous extensions - the latest being to 2004. Even then it will take some considerable time to put staff through the scheme. But this is what employers are suggesting should happen to nursery nurses! Nursery Nurses say they have waited long enough - a solution at Scottish level should be found now!

5) Where individual councils have come forward with local offers they have almost all been based on the (unacceptable) recommendation of the Scottish employers' 'expert group'! 6) Nursery Nurses across Scotland have agreed that the job of a nursery nurses does not differ from authority to authority - why should their pay?

The Executive's response

There is much in the Executive's response that UNISON finds positive and can agree with.

In particular the work that is being done across Scotland to ensure that people can look forward to a consistent 'high quality early years service available to all children and families across Scotland'.

The Scotland-wide initiatives outlined by the Executive, on service standards, 'recruitment and retention, qualifications and training, roles, remits and career progression', only back up UNISON's argument that a Scotland-wide solution is needed to deliver what the Executive wants.

The main disagreement appears to be the assertion that a 'national review would divert officials from existing work on workforce issues.' UNISON is clearly of the view that the existing work should inform and form part of an overall review of early years education and childcare.

That review should also address the claim of Scotland's Nursery Nurses for fair pay and a career structure.

To address the extra duties and responsibilities Nursery Nurses have already taken on, the Executive should put pressure on the Scottish employers to get back round the table with the Nursery Nurses with the aim of achieving a Scotland-wide resolution of the present damaging dispute.

Nursery Nurses want to deliver the service

Nursery Nurses want to deliver the best education and care to Scotland's 0-5 year olds (and beyond) that they can. They would not be in such a low-paid job if they didn't feel a huge commitment to the role they have. This commitment has been exploited for too long.

Nursery Nurses feel that the refusal of CoSLA to listen and address their concerns is symptomatic of the employers' failure to value the job they do and the service they provide. Nursery Nurses are vital in providing Scotland's children with their early educational base. They are providing a professional service. They deserve a professional salary and structure.

Contacts list:

Joe Di Paola - j.dipaola@unison.co.uk
@ UNISON, 60, Belford Road,
Edinburgh. EH4 3UQ
Tel 0845 355 0845 Fax 0131-220 6389

Carol Ball - unison@unison-glasgow.demon.co.uk
@ UNISON, Glasgow City 18, Albion Street,
Glasgow G1 1LH
Tel 0141 552 7069 Fax 0131-552 3807

Chris Bartter - chris.bartter@unison.org.uk
@ the P&I Team, 14 West Campbell Street,
Glasgow G2 6RX
Tel 0845 355 0845 Fax 0141-221 8953

Top of page

 
Further Information

Nursery Nurse campaign Pages

Contacts list:

Joe Di Paola - j.dipaola@unison.co.uk
@ UNISON, 60, Belford Road,
Edinburgh. EH4 3UQ
Tel 0845 355 0845 Fax 0131-220 6389

Carol Ball - unison@unison-glasgow.demon.co.uk
@ UNISON, Glasgow City 18, Albion Street,
Glasgow G1 1LH
Tel 0141 552 7069 Fax 0131-552 3807

Chris Bartter - chris.bartter@unison.org.uk
@ the P&I Team, 14 West Campbell Street,
Glasgow G2 6RX
Tel 0845 355 0845 Fax 0141-221 8953