The National Education Union (NEU) members at the Wirral Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Team have announced that they will commence a new wave of industrial action beginning from 18 November for 10 consecutive working days until (and including) 29 November 2024. This decision comes after two ‘unfruitful and brief’ meetings with the local authority regarding workload and pay reduction for staff within the SEND Team.
Bora Oktas, regional officer of the NEU, said: “The Wirral SEND Team, known for its dedication to supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities, has faced significant challenges in recent times. NEU members have expressed concerns over workload, staffing levels, and the resources available to effectively support the children and families they serve. Instead of addressing these concerns, the employer has chosen to downgrade our members’ pay scale under the disguise of ‘restructuring’.”
Mr Oktas continued: “Look at this picture: Ten members of the Team who all happen to be women were told that they would be getting less money for doing the same job, which entails more than a hundred cases per member at any time. My members wonder whether the employer would dare to do it to a team of men – I don’t think so! No wonder there are teams within the Council which are mostly made of men who are on the same salary band as our members; and guess what: None of these teams have been downgraded.”
Mr Oktas further stated: “The employer is more interested in its public image than the actual issues within the SEND department and how to resolve those issues. They have only met with us twice: the first meeting on 7 October lasted only 8 minutes; and the second meeting on 24 October lasted only 19 minutes. In both meetings, the employer said no more than a few words and concluded the meetings without any commitment or plan. They have paid only lip service to negotiations so far.”
Ferdushi Mohshin, president of Wirral NEU branch, stated: “Our members are committed to providing the best possible support for children with SEND. However, the current conditions are unsustainable, and they have been left with no choice but to take this action to ensure that their concerns are addressed.”
Mrs Mohshin continued: “Our members are very determined and they will continue striking until a satisfactory resolution is reached. I’m calling on the local authority to engage in meaningful dialogue to address the issues raised by our members.”
Mrs Mohshin added: “Taking industrial action is always a last resort for our members. However, they take action not only for themselves but for the families and children that they serve, as the strike is necessary to bring about positive changes for both staff and the children they support.”
Peter Middleman, regional secretary of the NEU, stated: “We urge the employer to engage in meaningful dialogue with our members. Listening to our members, their concerns, their issues, their solutions is indeed listening to the families they support. If our members are not able to do their job because of the failures of the employer, it is the children and their families who are going to suffer. I call on the local authority to come back to the table, work with us collaboratively to find a resolution. Open and honest communication is the first step towards addressing these issues and ensuring a positive outcome for everyone involved.”