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From: The Socialist issue 919, 5 October 2016: Tories out!

Search site for keywords: Durham - Strike - Council - Unison - Meetings - Labour - Pay - GMB - Councillors

Furious Durham teaching assistants ballot for strike action

Durham TAs at the Tory party conference demo on 2 October 2016 photo Durham TAs/Twitter (Click to enlarge)

Elaine Brunskill, Northern Socialist Party

Teaching assistants (TAs) in Durham are furious at the Labour council's plans to 'chop and drop' them. If these proposals go ahead 2,700 TA's will be sacked, then rehired on 23% less pay as they will only be paid during term time.

The same council which is intent on slashing TAs wages was ridiculed by David Cameron for shamefully paying senior councillors thousands in a special clothing allowance.

Unison members, who make up the bulk of the TAs, voted to reject a compensation deal - which offers compensation for two years, instead of one. Belatedly Unison is now to launch a ballot for strike action.

The predominantly women TAs have packed out recent meetings to defend their terms and conditions. At these meetings it is clear that alongside fury at the Labour council, there is also anger at their unions who have 'dragged their feet'. TAs feel they are fighting on two fronts - against the council and their unions.

Disgracefully, no Unison or GMB officials who are overseeing this dispute attended these grassroots meetings. However, the campaign has gained the support of Jeremy Corbyn, who gave the stark warning to Durham City Council to 'get this sorted'.

The TAs under attack have laid out why they cannot accept this massive pay cut when they are already poorly paid. Already one TA has sold her home as she feared she would no longer be able to keep up her mortgage payments. Others have said if these plans go ahead they will be forced to give up the job they love and look for alternative employment.

However, it is clear the Durham TAs are prepared to fight - messages of support can be sent to: [email protected] and to contribute to the Durham TAs' fund visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/CountyDurhamTeachingAssistants

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.