Teaching assistants, school caretakers, and other support workers have been battling rock-bottom wages and poor working conditions for years – but that is finally being addressed.
Labour’s Employment Rights Bill will bring back the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, giving thousands of education workers a real say in their pay and working conditions.
Under the negotiating body support staff would see:
- Professional recognition – better training meaning higher standards for all children
- Central pay negotiations – just like teachers
- Better recruitment and retention – fewer staff shortages
Across England, over 800,000 workers stand to benefit from this major shake-up.
This comes after the Low Pay Commission officially branded Teaching Assistants as “low paid” under the last Conservative Government, according to the Low Pay Commission.
But shockingly, the Conservatives and Reform are opposing the plan, refusing to back fair pay for the workers who keep our schools running.
Joe Morris, MP for Hexham constituency, said:
“Teaching assistants are key to ensuring that our children get the education they deserve, whether that be by providing support to pupils with additional needs or ensuring that classrooms run smoothly.
“I am proud that Labour’s Employment Rights Bill is backing school support staff and giving them the professional recognition they are due.”
Stacey Booth, GMB National Officer, said:
“For fourteen long years successive Conservative governments did nothing to improve standards for school support staff – leaving them on the Low Pay Commission’s list of poorly paid roles.
“Finally they are getting recognition for their vital work.”