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4 Aug 2003
Scottish Exec figures show increasing pressure on nurseries as
strike action hits East and West Dunbartonshire
The Scottish Executive has released figures that show increasing
demands and decreasing staff in the pre-school sector, as the next
phase of the UNISON nursery nurse strike action is about to hit
East and West Dunbartonshire tomorrow. Three days of strike action
in each authority will close day nurseries and children and family
centres as the nursery nurses' campaign for a fairer pay deal intensifies.
The Pre-school and Day Care Census shows: The number of children
attending pre-school education has risen by 6% since Jan 2002. The
number of local authority pre-school education places has increased
by 4% in the same period The number of centres providing pre-school
education has increased by 7% However the number of staff working
in the sector has dropped by 3%. And the number of local authority
staff has fallen by 13%.
Joe Di Paola, UNISON's Scottish Organiser for Local Government,
said: "These Scottish Executive figures confirm what our members
have been saying for some years. Fewer staff are educating and caring
for more and more children. It is clear that there is a bigger and
bigger demand for pre-school education and care.
"Employers would have been better talking to them to resolve the
dispute, rather than creating a sideshow of a group to help them
off their hook, and justify some nebulous offer."
Carol Ball, Chair of UNISON's Nursery Nurse Working Party said:
"We have been saying throughout this campaign that staff are leaving
the profession because of the poor level of pay and lack of career
structure. It looks although the Scottish Executive figures agree
with us. We regret that the Executive has not produced a staff:child
ratio as they did last September. It is clear from the figures they
have produced, however that more children are being looked after
by fewer staff, and this is will not be beneficial for them or their
education."
The action forms part of a six week programme involving UNISON
branches throughout Scotland and builds on the momentum of Scotland-wide
strikes and 'work to rule' since May 2003. Further action will be
discussed by the union's Industrial Action Committee later this
month, unless moves are made to resolve the dispute.
Nursery Nurses in ordinary nursery schools and classes are only
on £13,800 at the top of their grade. They have been taking action
since May 2003 for a deal to recognise their two-year training and
the host of additional duties they have taken on. Their last review
was 15 years ago.
ENDS
Note for editors:- The SUMMARY RESULTS OF THE 2003 PRE-SCHOOL
AND DAYCARE CENSUS was published by the Scottish Executive on 29
July 2003. The report is available on the Scottish Executive website
at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00264.00.asp
For Further Information Please Contact: Joe Di Paola (Scottish
Organiser - Local Gov't)0845 355 0845 (o) 07790 505 698 Carol Ball
(Chair - NN Working Party) 07803 952 263 (m) Chris Bartter (Communications
Officer) 0845 355 0845(o) 0771 558 3729(m)
See Nursery
Nurse Campaign pages for full details of future action
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