Dear r Editor Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield Borough, recently visited a school in his constituency. He was asked after his self-promotion photo opportunity, how the Teaching Assistant pay dispute was progressing. His response was unexpected and unprofessional. He is blatantly unaware of the fundamental argument that has been put forward by the Labour led County Council in that the dispute is supposedly an equality issue and not financial as in budget saving. He told the flabbergasted and shocked teaching assistant they would probably be facing redundancy, never mind a 23% pay cut. It is interesting to note that the visit was well before Theresa May called a ‘snap’ General Election and Mr Wilson was not at that time fighting for his seat. This begs the question; How can the local MP not be aware of the central facts surrounding this long running dispute which involves 2700 professional low-paid Teaching Assistants many of whom live in his Sedgefield constituency! Local Durham Teaching Assistants
MP Replies . . .
Whilst this is a County Council issue, centred on equal pay of teaching assistants in comparison to other staff members, I have met with representatives from unions to discuss this issue which I am firmly aware impacts some of my constituents. As the MP I do not want to see any residents treated unfairly, including Teaching Assistants to other council workers in the same pay band. That is why myself and other County Durham MPs have worked, incredibly hard to bring all parties round the table, encouraging discussion so a satisfactory conclusion can be reached for all involved Earlier this week Durham County Council started to hold meetings with head teachers and Trade Unions. The aim of these ongoing meetings is to match teaching assistants to a proposed new grading structure, as part of a wider package being worked on with Teaching Assistants and their trade union representatives. Meetings will take place in nearly 240 schools in order to match teaching assistants to the proposed new grading structure. Such meetings will have to take place in every school, with their agreement reached before a revised offer is made. It is important the council reach a swift and fair outcome both for Teaching Assistants and other council employees, who despite being in the same salary band as Teaching Assistants have been receiving less favourable terms of employment. And whilst this is an issue for the County Council and Unions to address, I will continue to meet with all parties and work to keep everyone around the discussion table until a conclusion satisfactory for all – especially our children – is reached. Phil Wilson MP
