Local Government Service Group Conference
15-16 June 2008
School meals transformation: Reward the workforce, says UNISON
UNISON will monitor the effect of school meals reform
and take the opportunity to ensure the resources are there to develop
and properly reward the school meals workforce.
The Scotland motion called on the union to campaign
for adequate staffing, against unpaid overtime, and for pay and
conditions to be properly evaluated. And learning reps are to be
urged to assess whether training needs for staff are being met.
Scotland's Carol Ball told Conference, "In September
2004 UNISON launched its "Appetite for Life" campaign to improve
the quality of school meals and in Scotland the Food for Good Charter
for the NHS has just been updated and expanded as a Charter to cover
the whole public sector including school meals.
"Why? Because UNISON supports the introduction of
free school meals because we know the benefits to children of a
hot, cooked from scratch, well balanced meal to enhance their general
well being, achievement and contributing to the reduction in child
poverty."
The UK Government's review of school meals in 2005
made recommendations many of which supported UNISON's aims starting
with food based standards for all school food. The Scottish Government's
introduction of a 6 month pilot of free school meals for children
in P1 - P3 in 5 Local Authorities is also to be welcomed.
"However, as we all know there's no such thing as
a free lunch", said Carol. "In order to take this policy forward
it needs to be properly considered and resourced." "We must remember
that these initiatives come on the back of 25 years erosion of the
school meals service through under investment, compulsory competitive
tendering and PFI", she added.
"This has led to lower pay levels, reduced hours and
casual working contracts."
And as recent as a few weeks ago, Edinburgh City Council
announced that as a result of budget cuts, several school kitchens
would be closed (This service is provided by a direct service company),
which has led to many school meals staff having their hours reduced
as a consequence.
Glasgow City Council is also looking to provide its
school meals service via an arms length company.
"How does this sit with the free school meals pilot
which has seen a take up rate of 77%", asked Carol.
Branches should take the opportunity if they haven't
already done so to engage with members working within the school
meals area to ensure that issues affecting their pay and terms and
conditions as a result of introducing these reforms can be addressed.
This also offers the opportunity to recruit and organise these workers.
"The Scottish Local Government committee will monitor
the effects through their Education Issues Group and report back
on how we might take forward the issues raised", promised Carol.
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