COVID-19 Education Response and School Support Staff

Responding to the First Minister’s COVID-19 update this afternoon (Tuesday 2 February) concerning a phased return to schools in Scotland, GMB Scotland Senior Organiser for Public Services Drew Duffy said:

“Yet again the Scottish Government failed to acknowledge the role of school support staff in the response to COVID-19.

“This morning over 1,000 of our members in support staff jobs, including cleaners, caterers, and pupil support staff, wrote to the First Minister asking her to strengthen school safety guidelines and the implementation of them across our thirty-two councils.

“This afternoon’s statement said little to these workers, despite the fact support staff are most at risk against the backdrop of more virulent strains of COVID-19 because many continue to work in our schools throughout this lockdown.

“We need full consultation with Ministers on a consistent approach to worker safety in the phased return of schools. That’s the only way we are going to give these forgotten key workers some badly needed confidence their safety is a priority for this government.”

ENDS

Contact: GMB Scotland Communications on 07976 447077.