Mike Jenkins, one of our partners and committed trade unionist urges the Welsh Assembly Government to adopt Westminster's recently implemented National Pay and Conditions Framework for School Support Staff to improve the conditions for school support staff in Wales.
Addressing the audience at the Wales TUC's annual conference in Llandudno, where around 300 delegates from across Wales met to debate issues concerning employers in Wales, Mike Jenkins highlighted the importance of school support staff in Welsh schools and the need to improve their terms and conditions.
Talking on behalf of Unite, he said: "The huge variations in pay clearly demonstrate the need for a national pay and conditions framework in Wales for staff across all types of schools.
"Support staff are an integral part of delivering educational improvements and opportunities for the nation's children. But support staff, and the Welsh Assembly Government's wider agenda for extended services, personalised learning and targeting resources towards the most disadvantaged children, will all be put at risk if the lack of training opportunities and low pay are not taken seriously.
"Unite has been calling for a National Pay and Conditions Framework for school support staff for some time. School support staff play a vital role and deserve to be given a proper and professional career structure. As a school governor myself, I have seen first hand the contribution support staff make to children's education in Wales.
"Starting salaries for these posts are as low as £7,000 so it's a wonder anyone applies for the jobs in the first place. But the fact that they do further highlights their dedication and commitment to education in Wales."
Mike describes the new negotiating council, which has been set-up, as a positive step forward, however he criticises the Welsh Assembly Government's lack of commitment to progressing this further.
Mike, who manages our Newport branch, represents Unite on the Welsh Labour Policy Forum Committee and the Policy Development Group of the Welsh Executive Committee Development Board where he vigorously pursues Unites policy objectives. He works exclusively on behalf of Trade Unions and carries out all aspects of Personal Injury claims for Union members throughout the UK.