Teachers’ street protest

Hundreds of teaching assistants took to the streets to protest against pay cuts.

The teaching assistants are locked in a battle with Durham County Council over changes to their terms and conditions, which could see some losing as much as £400 a month from their wages.

More than 500 people took part in the latest mass protest yesterday outside County Hall, which lasted for more than three hours.

They also handed over a petition against the changes, containing thousands of signatures, including those of Dennis Skinner MP and Labour Leader, Jeremyb Corbyn MP.

In May, despite huge opposition, the council agreed the proposed changes to the 2,700 members of staff, which would see them paid for term time only, instead of the 52-week contracts.

For many of the school workersthis could mean a reduction in their annual income of almost a quarter of their wages.

Helen Metcalf, a regional spokeswoman for Unison, the union many teaching assistants are in, said the members will continue to fight plans.

She said: “We are still urging the council to reconsider and address the issue again. We are determined to fight this, but we are still keen to speak to the council to try and find other options to reach a resolution.”

Durham County Council has said the amendments will make it fair across the workforce.

Councillor Jane Brown, cabinet member for corporate services, said: “They are about ensuring that teaching assistants, like all other council employees, are paid only for the hours they actually work.”