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15 March 04

From L Hodgson
My son is currently in his pre-school year at Stockbridge Nursery in Edinburgh. We totally support the nursery nurses and the strike. We know the strike is a last resort and the nursery nurses would far rather be working than picketing. We would really like to do something positive to help bring about a resolution to the strike. Is their an action group for parents that we can join? Perhaps if all the nursery children in Edinburgh turned up at the Council Chambers for the day, councillors would feel more inclined to settle this matter? >> see next Parent's Message

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From Austin and Hilary Lalley
As parents of a nursery age child we would much rather leave our daughter in the hands of a trained, paid professional.You have our continued support. Hope you get your fair deal, you deserve it. >> see next Parent's Message

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From Michelle Mullan
Unison Member West Dunbartonshire Council
I am a nursery nurse in the clydebank area, we have recieved full support from all parents from kilbowie nursery, we would like to thank them for their support throughout this difficult time, as this has caused great distress to both them and their children. (message for cosla, pull the finger out and give us the wage we deserve, we don't just change nappies we change lives for the children we look after and educate)

From Steve Mills
UNISON Bristol City Message
Dear Colleagues i am writing to you as the lead officer for education in Bristol. we have fought tooth and nail for a proper pay packet for these workers in bristol. finally we got them a reevaluation under single status, and the LEA cut their terms and conditions. we have all been watching what is happening in scotland, and wish you all the very best.

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14 March 04

From Helen & Fiona
Unison Kirkcaldy
We are striking nursery nurses working in the Fife area who were involved in the lobbying of MSPs outside the Scottish Parliament last Thursday. We have come across the list of how MSP's voted on our ammendment for a National settlement and were appalled at the outcome of how nearly all labour voted against us. Click here for the list

Hope all the nursery nurses find this useful and use it to their advantage. We are not going to let this beat us, lets all stick together and win this battle.

From Clare Andrews
i have a son who is missing nursery but fully support the nursery nurses and hope they get the pay deal they deserve. i dont think its fair though to pick on teachers saying "Try telling that to teachers" as i believe that they also took an hourly pay cut with their pay deal. Webmanager's note: This comment was made in relation to different pay rates in different areas for the same job, not the hourly rate. We would not seek to criticise teachers who have provided excellent support in many areas to our nursery nurses. >> see next Parent's Message

12 March 04

From Veronica Sandilands
the nursery nurses should get the pay rise they do a great job

From John Corcoran
UNISON West Dunbartonshire
Stick with it everyone. There has never been a more just cause!

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From Mrs Kelly
unison glasgow
Like many parents I support the nursery nurses strike and feel that they do deserve a fair pay for their job. nursery education is an important step in the lives of our pre-5 children and hopefully some agreement can be negotiated soon. Parents face a difficult choice and i am sure that any parents who do return their child to nursery during the strike are dooing so for the sake of their childs welfare and education and by no means undermining the work and responsabilities of the staff.
good luck >> see next Parent's Message

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From Jennifer Boyle
unison glasgow
I am one of the striking nursery nurses in Glasgow. I have found it particularly hard as more than half the staff in my buiding have not come out on strike, and the girls who are still out, are in the minority. It is so important to continue our dispute, but we must all try to support each other no matter how difficult things become.I hope and pray for a swift solution to this dispute and i believe if we all stick together and not allow the councils to break us we can overcome! Keep up the good work

11 March 04

From Emma Richford - Parent
I am a mother of two toddlers, one already at nursery at carbrain primary school and my other due to start at the end of this month. My son has been affected greatly by the strikes, but i do not believe the blame is with the nursery nurses. They have a very demanding job, alot of people just see thier job as watching kids play but its far more than that, they are preparing our children for school, they make sure that when the children start school they are at the learning level they should be, and they provide extra help for those children that are behind! after 16 years i believe its about time the goverment reviewed the nursery nurses status and wage, they are not just nursery nurses to our children they are pre-school teachers and that should be reconised. I am behind the Nursery Nurses strike action, because they do a superb job and dont get the credit or wage they deserve.
Yours Sincerly
Emma >> see next Parent's Message

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From Dawn Arnott - Parent
i fully support the nursery nurses. My little boy started just over two weeks ago and i can already see a difference. we need the nursery nurses, the prepare our kids for school. >> see next Parent's Message

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Kate Signorini & George Callaghan
Association of University Teachers (AUT) The Open University in Scotland
On behalf of the The Open University in Scotland's branch of the AUT, we would like to offer you our support for your current action. We are also currently taking part in national industrial action fighting for improved pay and terms & conditions and to reject proposals for local pay bargaining. We wish you good luck and a succesful resolution to your action.

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From Scott Maitland
FBU Livingston
I wish to express my support for fellow public sector workers, who are undervalued and underpaid. Don't give up folks, the public are behind you.

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From Douglas Campbell
PCS Saughton, Edinburgh
Our branch AGM on Friday 5th agreed unanimously to send a message of support and solidarity to the striking nursery nurses who look after so many of our own children in Carrick Knowe and Balgreen.

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From Wendy Jean Biggin
UNISON University College London
We wish to send our support and solidarity for your industrial action; a wage increase and better career development options are long overdue. Our Branch have pledged to donate £100 to your cause.

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From Francis Perry
unison glasgow
keep going everyone, don't give in now,believe in your own self worth. good luck The Cranhill 6.

From Bill McFarlane
MSF Glasgow Central
As a father of a four year old,I greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication of the nursery nurses. The stand taken by Cosla and Jack McConnell is indefensible. Good luck and best wishes with your dispute and hope it is settled to your satisfaction soon.
> next MSF message

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10 March 04

From Alistair Cant
Parent and TGWU branch 7/148
My son goes to Grassmarket Nursery in Edinburgh and has excellent care from the staff, and it is the Nursery Nurses who are the core and heart of the Nursery. I fully support the action to get a decent living wage for the Nursery Nurses. >> see next Parent's Message

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Childcare and Education Team
EIS (FELA) Edinburgh's Telford College
As professionals involved in the education and training of Nursery Nurses we would like to give our wholehearted support to all those involved in the strike action. We urge you to keep together and campaign for a national deal which will benefit your colleagues and your profession across Scotland. We have invited a union rep. to address our EIS Branch meeting and will be contributing to the strike fund. STAY STRONG!
>next EIS message

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From Willie Stevenson
MSF glasgow
as a leader of the offshore sit-ins in 1990 which lasted 6 weeks in total-I would like to urge the nursery nurses to stay united in their fight for a decent and fair wage structure the hole of scotland is rooting for you and wish you every success,one point i may add is your union should be using the media more,beleive me it can be done and it was a weapon we used to great effect in 1990
best regards
willie stevenson

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9 March 04

From Danny A. Lesh
Service Employees International Local 399
Southern California USA
I wish you my best in your struggle for justice. Solidarity!! Please let me know how else I can help.
www.seiu399.org/

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Sinead Daly
Spokesperson for Dundee Nursery Nurses support group.
As a parent of a child in Ardler nursery, dundee I am 100% behind your claim for a decent and fair wages. We have set up a support group involving parents from around the city to organise solidarity for your fight and to counter the disgraceful claims being put forward in the media by CoSLA and local councils.

We have sent letters to the press, attended protests and gone on street collections with nursery nurses.

We are clear that our anger about this situation should be directed at CoSLA and local councils for letting this dispute get so far.

It's really important that you win as this will ensure the future of early years education. Not only that but you are setting a real example to other low paid, particularly women, workers that they can fight low pay.

All the best
Sinead Daly
Spokesperson for Dundee Nursery Nurses support group. >> see next Parent's Message

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From Aileen Johnstone
unison glasgow
hopefully victory will be ours!!! and soon!! cosla see sense!!

From Nova - Parent
I am a parent and my child - a boy who needs and craves the stimulation he recieves at his nursery is driving me bonkers! However,the Nursery Nurses have my full support,they do a wonderful job and have deserved a rise for years.My child has attended both private and govt. nurseries and the level of care he recieves at his state nursery is by far the best I could hope for.All the best! >> see next Parent's Message

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From Jane Willett
keep going till you get what you want you deserve it I am an x nneb so I feel for you all.

From Cllr Keith Baldassara
it is time to end the scandal of low pay and the further lack of recognition of the skills provided by our nursery nurses who impact greatly on the early development of our children. Stay strong your victory is our victory.

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8 March 04

From Sally Clarke
UNISON Edinburgh
I'm a nursery nurse picketing twice a day at my nursery with my colleagues. We are receiving lots of support from parents and from the local community. Today a man stopped on his way to work, parked his car and came over to our picket line to shake our hands and gave us words of support - what a morale booster!!!

From Linda Turner
Unison Kirkcaldy
I am a striking nursery nurse with an empty purse, we are underpaid and undervalued, come on cosla pay us what we are worth! lets stick together and we will get there it would be great to hear from other regions

6 March 04

From Bob Wilson
usdaw
My Partner is/has been a Nursery Nurse in Knowsley for over 10 years and works damn hard for her £13000/Annum. Keep going, you have our support and hopefully the situation may be addressed here too. You deserve to succeed!

5 March 04

From Diane Gloyn
LHMU South Australia, Australia
I am a child care worker involved in our wages campaign here. Keep fighting (and negotiating!)and I know you will get the pay and recognition you deserve. Dianne

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From Kirsten Harrold
EIS Edinburgh
As a parent I would like to offer my support and admiration for all nursery nurses and their fight for recognition of the professional role they play in early years education. There are many parents supporting you lets hear from them - write to MSP's, councillors and don't send your child to nursery during the action. Stay strong and solid together!

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From Jacquie Sproule
Unison
I fully support the nursery nurses fight for better pay. They are regarded by all child care agencies as professional colleagues andshould be paid accordingly. I am a social worker by profession.

From Maria
Unison Glasgow
I am a mum in Renfrewshire and a nursery nurse in Glasgow I can relate to this situation from every angle, upset child and no money, but by doing this win or lose I have respect for myself and my colleges and I am teaching my children to stand up, speak out and achieve what you deserve, lets stay together! good luck to all of us.

4 March 04

From Karen parent with pre-school child from Glasgow.
Nursery Nurses provide an important start to a childs education and I fully support them as they deserve a fair pay for the great job that they do. >> see next Parent's Message

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From Fiona Robertson - Parent of 4.
Nursery Nurses carry out a fundamental job giving all chidren a chance for the best possible start. They deserve a fair wage for doing this. We are right behind you. >> see next Parent's Message

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From Margaret Grady
UNISON Glasgow City
I am a nursery nurse and proud of my profession. Hang in there and together we can WIN. See you all on Friday. Margaret.

From Lorraine Glendinning
Unison Glasgow Branch
I am a striking Nursery Nurse, along with my three colleagues, we are on picket duty twice daily, gathering support, giving leaflets and have even been evicted from our local shopping centre!!I make the point that this dispute is not entirely about the money. It is time we have the respect we deserve for doing the professional job we do.See you in Glasgow girls.

From Michelle
unison glasgow
IM A STRIKING NURSERY NURSE WITH AN EMPTY PURSE.LETS ALL STAY STRONG AND GET RECOGNISED FOR WHAT WE DO.STAY STRONG SEE YOU AT THE RALLY ON FRIDAY

From Helen Park
Unison Edinburgh
I am a striking Nursery Nurse. Let's all stick together and win this battle!!!! See you in Glasgow with my loudest voice!!!!

Joan Neilson
Unison North Lanarkshire
Hang in there girls, if we all stick together we will win. Also I'm looking for a contact in your area so that we can keep in touch about further developments. Can you tell me if anyone has thought to protest outside the COSLA offices? There is a branch in Glasgow and Edinburgh, maybe we should target them on the same day. Keep smiling!!!!!!!

3 March 04

From Jennifer - Parent
I fully support your claim for better pay - you deserve it for the work you do! >> see next Parent's Message

From Frank Gray
UCATT Glasgow/Pollokshaws
As a fellow trade union member I fully support your action. Yours in solidarity.
>next UCATT message

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From Linda Weightman
UNISON Cumbria Health
Keep going. My daughter had to leave childcare after years of training and experience because she didn't earn enough to keep herself.

From Lindsey Ross
I support the Nursery Nurses 100%. I myself qualified in 1997 and I know that I would be a fantastic nursery nurse but due to the low pay I decided not to pursue the career after I qualified. I am not in the job I wish to do but there's no way i would committ my life working for such a poor wage with no appreciation of the hard work you do.

From D Crosbie
Unison Dundee
Do not give up on what is fair and just!

From Rebecca Noon
UNISON SEPA
Good luck and keep with it, I have children in nursery and am with you all the way. >> see next Parent's Message

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From Iain Montgomery
UNISON Scottish Children's Reporters Message
'nil carborundum'

From Julie Beveridge
parent of nursery aged child Fife
Keep up the effort you can do it.you have my full support. You deserve a pay rise for all the work you do. >> see next Parent's Message

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From Angus Collins
Unison
What does your dispute say about council's investment in children and the future for our communities? Quality childcare is essential, you are providing that under very difficult circumstances. Huge respect for what you do ! I wish you every success- you should ask branches to collect donations,you have already had a number of lost days wages.

2 March 04

From Karen - Parent
Renfrewshire
I am full of admiration for what the nursery nurses do. I have a son in nursery and despite the disruption I am behind them 100%. Good luck girls, I hope you get the increase you deserve!

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From Lynn Welsh
Unison East Lothian Council
Keep rooting for a National Deal - it is the only fair way forward. I am a striking Nursery Nurse and have received plenty positive messages from parents and other carers. See you all in Glasgow - make plenty noise!!

From Helen Kissell
Unison Renfrewshire
I am delighted that the first days of all out action have started so positively. The nursery nurses are a group of professional staff who deserve the pay claim submitted settled in full. keep up the great work,keep the picket lines strong and remain firm and solid until this is settled as a national agreement.

From John McLoughlin
UNISON Chair, Tower Hamlets
Solidarity geetings from East London. Our nursery nurses won their regrading through all out strike action last June and we are sure you will win the victory you deserve. We have already agreed to send a branch donation and we will be raising collections to support you. Many branches in London want to show support - we would be pleased to help organise a solidarity tour. Stick together and you will win!

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From Sandra Cadger
Unison Glenrothes
Its about time people realised Nursery Nurses dont just look after our children, they are educating them too! Hope you get a good result soon.

From John Macdonald
UNISON North Ayrshire
NURSERY NURSES - EMPTY PURSES Hopefully this will change. Hoping it will all end soon when parents and councils see sense. Good Luck

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From Paul Mooney
U.C.A,T.T. Greenock no3
keep holding the line you all deserve the wage structure that you are fighting for. good luck.

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From Alison McGillivray
Unison North Lanarkshire
We have come this far don't let cosla bully us into submission. stay united and together and we will succeed.

From Michelle
unison glasgow
COME ON GIVE US WHAT WE ARE WORTH !!!! SUPPORT YOUR NURSERY NURSES

From Richard Mould
Unison Scottish Water
All the best in your campaign against low pay.You have my full support!!

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2 March 04

From Colin Mackinnon
this is an utter disgrace that you have had to resort to strike action but what do you expect from a hands off it's nothing to do with us kind of government! NURSES UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!

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From Terri Macaskill
UNISON Perth & Kinross
I argued AGAINST and voted NO NO NO to a local agreement and although none of us enjoy striking I wish with all my heart that I was allowed to be with the rest of you today. Even though I can't be you have - in the past, now, and in the future my total personal support. Go for it girls.

From John Deuchars
UNISON Scottish Hydro Electric
heartily agree with your action. If the councils want a nationally agreed curriculum then they should pay their staff a nationally agreed wage. Also the pay should reflect the work you do, especially if you are dealing with children with special needs or severe special needs.

From S Bradshaw
Morecambe
I work at a local pre-school in a school. We are on a low wage,no sick pay and we do not get payed for school holidays! so carry on girls we all deserve better!!!

From Karen McMillan
UNISON North Ayrshire
we have come so far. It's all the way now ladies. We have shocked our local councils, we are not going away, give us a fair pay deal

From Lesley Colville
UNISON Education
Stick together and we'll get the result we want!!!

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