Durham teaching assistants set to strike over pay deal

Teaching assistants attended a recent rally in Durham

The majority of teaching assistants in County Durham have voted to reject a pay deal, which some claim would see them lose up to 20% of their salary.

The Unison and GMB unions balloted members after the county council said its 2,700 assistants would only be paid during term time.

Unison members, who make up the bulk of staff, voted to reject a compensation offer, while GMB members accepted.

Unison is to now launch a ballot for strike action.

Durham County Council said its "final" improved offer of two years' compensation for accepting the change would come in from April.

But unions said the deal made staff feel "undervalued".

'Stressful and difficult'

However, the GMB union, which represents about 200 assistants, said its dispute with the authority was now over.

Regional organiser Michael Hopper said: "Our members have acted with great professionalism and fortitude during what has been a very stressful and difficult process.

"As an independent trade union our members involved in the dispute have spoken in a democratically held ballot. That is to accept the offer."

Unison regional secretary Clare Williams said: "Striking is a last resort, but these low-paid employees feel they have no choice but to consider taking action.

"Unison is fully behind the teaching assistants, whatever course of action they choose to take."

Ahead of the ballot, Jane Brown from the council said: "We have revised and doubled our compensation offer and delayed the implementation of these changes to April 2017.

"We have a legal and moral responsibility to address this issue and will not benefit financially in any way - except to remove the risk of equal pay claims from other staff."