Glasgow Unison strike builds momentum

Pupil Support Assistants organised by Glasgow City Unison took a third day of industrial action in their dispute with the Labour council over changes to conditions, including being forced to carry out medical duties. Already 1000 workers took strike action across the city on October 31st. This was followed up with a one day strike in schools in the north east of the city last week and today southside schools were staffed with large picket lines.

Along with the strikes, workers and the union have rallied hundreds each time outside the council with lively chanting of “we are not nurses we are PSA’s” and marches around the building.

Unison strikers were also joined today by 150 members of the GMB who were visible at the rally. Other Unison members in the schools, including janitors and admin staff refused to cross PSA picket lines.

PSA workers in the north west of the city will be on strike on Tuesday 19th November. The feeling of members is that then action once again should be organised city wide, if the Labour council continue to be intransigent.

Strikers at Hazelwood School in Bellahousten told the socialist “the support from the union has been second to none, our action has put huge pressure on the council and we are now circulating a petition to parents. We are not intimidated by the threatening letters from council managers”.

The strike has mobilised anger over a whole number of issues and has given the mainly female workforce a chance to fight back against an administration which has implemented £200 million pounds worth of cuts.

Glasgow Unison Education Convenor Carol Ball speaking at the rally highlighted the impressive participation of workers in the dispute with the members mass meeting on Tuesday being jam packed.

The rally also heard from Branch Secretary and Socialist Party Scotland member Brian Smith (pictured) who pledged the Glasgow Unison branch’s complete and continued support for further action. Strikers from Bellahousten and Govanhill schools also spoke reporting on the solidity of the strike action and giving graphic examples of the dangers to Glasgow’s children if the council’s agenda is implemented.