25 August 2003

Nursery nurses move to week-long strike.

The long running dispute over nursery nurses pay and career structure is due to be stepped up in September if there is no acceptable offer from Scotland's local authorities, said their union UNISON today (Monday).

It follows a series of area 2 and 3 day strikes and a continuing boycott of additional duties. Nursery Nurses across Scotland will strike for a week between 8 - 12 September and the week of action will culminate with a afternoon event for supporters, children and parents on Glasgow Green on Saturday 13 September.

"This extension of the action is an expression of how frustrated Scotland's nursery nurses are becoming" said Carol Ball, Chair of UNISONScotland's Nursery Nurses Working Party.

"It is incredible that instead of using the summer to negotiate with UNISON to find a deal that would resolve the dispute, CoSLA have spent the time commissioning a flawed report, which has little chance of dealing with the main issues. It is sad that parents and children are going to have their lives and education disrupted because of CoSLA's failure to move"

Joe Di Paola, UNISON's Scottish Organiser for Local Government added: " Isn't it time for the Scottish employers to come forward with a sensible offer that addresses the concerns of our nursery nurses? Councils in England have settled their disputes on a fair basis, without attacking nursery nurses' terms and conditions. After 15 years, it is time for Scotland to do the same."

The action will mean the closure of Scotland's nurseries and nursery schools for the week. There will be a public rally in support of striking nursery nurses in Glasgow from 1.00pm to 5.00pm on Saturday 13 Sept.

An all-party panel of MSP's and some celebrities will speak in support

ENDS

For Further Information Please Contact: Joe Di Paola (UNISON Scottish Organiser Local Government ) 07990 505698(m) Carol Ball (Chair UNISON's Nursery Nurses Working Group) 07803 952263 (m) Chris Bartter (UNISON Communications Officer) 0771 558 3729(m)

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