First day of strikes in Glasgow secondary schools suspended

First day of strikes in Glasgow secondary schools suspended as staff consult over new pay offer

Cleaners and janitors in Glasgow secondary schools will suspended their first 24-hour strike action tomorrow (Tuesday 7 December) after their employer AMEY tabled an improved offer on pay and conditions.

The offer proposes changes to pay and conditions for staff employed by the PFI contractor that would be comparable to those made by COSLA for directly employed council workers, lifting pay by over 6 per cent for cleaners, 4 per cent for janitors, and backdated to 1 April 2021.

A full workplace consultative ballot of GMB members is now taking place until Wednesday with the union recommending acceptance of the offer, and further strikes scheduled for Thursday and Saturday could also be lifted if staff vote to accept.

GMB Organiser John Slaven said:

“Cleaners and janitors in Glasgow’s secondary schools have fought hard to get AMEY to match the pay and conditions of staff directly employed by the City Council, and our members will now decide if they have won this battle.

“Our message has been clear and consistent: “Pay up for these key workers.” All school support staff should be valued the same for the essential services they provide, irrespective if they are employed by a council or a council contractor.

“That’s why AMEY’s new offer merits suspension of the strike scheduled for Tuesday, so staff can be fully consulted and subject to ballot, and this process will run until Wednesday when the result will also be confirmed.”

ENDS

Contact: GMB Scotland Organiser John Slaven on 07506 703978 or GMB Scotland Communications on 07975 447077.

Notes to Editors:

“AMEY Schools Rally – Pay Up for Key Workers”, GMB Media Calling Notice, Thursday 2 December, access at: <<https://www.gmbscotland.org.uk/newsroom/amey-glasgow-schools-rally