Understand
School support staff in south London strike over London weighting pay gap
Overview
More than 1,000 school support staff across Merton and Greenwich are set to strike over a pay disparity where teachers receive inner London pay rates while support staff are paid outer London rates. The GMB union organised a protest march to Parliament and the Department for Education. Both local councils stated that the pay gap is a national issue dating back to 1990 that must be resolved nationally rather than at a local level.
Key points
- More than 1,000 school support staff from over 30 schools in Merton and Greenwich are expected to strike on Friday.
- Workers are protesting because they receive outer London pay rates while teachers at the same schools receive inner London pay.
- The GMB union organised a rally outside Parliament, a march to the Department for Education, and a demonstration in Trafalgar Square.
- Merton and Greenwich councils stated that the pay disparity stems from historic national agreements and cannot be resolved locally.
- The GMB union reported it had not received a reply after asking Education Secretary Lucy Powell to meet members.