Hope that Classroom Assistants will get strong backing from report

by Chris Bartter

Hopes are rising that an influential report due out later this month will prove to be a valuable resource in UNISON's fight for equal pay for classroom assistants in Scotland.

The Equal Opportunities Commission is due to publish the final part of their Formal Investigation into Scottish Classroom Assistants, and it is clear that the extension of the investigation into Classroom Assistants in Secondary and Special Schools, has confirmed and expanded on the results found when the jobs of Primary School CAs were investigated.

That research showed that they were working at high levels of responsibility - including planning and organising learning activities, but being paid at the bottom end of local government pay.

Almost all work five days a week, however their hours are less than 'normal' full-time hours and they work only during term- time. This reduces further their annual and monthly pay so that in many cases it is little more than the statutory minimum wage.

Glyn Hawker, UNISON's Scottish Organiser (Bargaining) said "We are aware that Classroom Assistants do a wide range of jobs, jobs that can contribute significantly to the learning and teaching of children.

"We have said for some time that they are undervalued for what they do and are looking forward to the final piece of the jigsaw that will confirm this."

The initial research found that Primary School Classroom Assistants are 99% women, who mostly work (and are paid for) term time only. They typically are aged 31-50. However their salary is paid over the whole year resulting in an hourly rate of between £5.05 and £8.93.

The current minimum wage is £5.05 per hour for workers 22 and over. The final report is due at the end of this month.

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