Unison members plan to strike on 16 and 17 July in England, Wales andNorthern Ireland (News, 3 July). The action will involve 40,000 nurseryworkers and 70,000 teaching assistants from Unison.
Tracey Rushton, a Unison member in Newcastle since 1992, told NurseryWorld that she thought it was 'time to make a stand' in the face of highinflation.
Ms Rushton said, 'We're being offered a 2.45 per cent raise wheninflation is at 4 per cent.
'Everyday living is getting so expensive. Petrol, gas and electricity isrising all the time. I think it's time to make a stand, as people can'tafford to live.
'Hopefully these two days of striking will be enough to get people tonegotiate and get a better offer for us. Council staff are being treatedquite badly at the moment, especially as regards to their pay.
'My son is sitting his GCSEs and I do not want him to lose hiseducation, because we can't give him support in a few years' time. Butif things continue, we won't be able to afford to send him to college,'she added.
- See 'In My View', page 12.
