School staff could take action over remodelling
Unions call for council U-turn on services revamp
Renfrewshire school staff could take industrial action this month if plans to remodel janitorial, cleaning and catering services are not reversed.
Trade Union GMB is currently balloting its members on whether or not they would be willing to down tools over what they describe as a “botched” scheme to revamp essential services in local schools.
The ballot is largely backed by their teaching colleagues.
R e n f re w s h i re C o u n c i l confirmed earlier this year that cleaners, cooks and janitors would be stripped of their titles and called “facilities operatives” in a move that would require them to work across all three services.
Many have also been moved to new schools and given new shifts, with a concern that some are now financially worse off.
But GMB says the new approach simply isn’t working, with the department claimed to be so short staffed its workers have been left exhausted.
Its members are currently being consulted on taking part in industrial action short of strike.
This could see a blanket ban on overtime, go slows, where staff work at a more leisurely pace, and potential stoppages of work during peak times of operation.
GMB organiser Kirsten Muat said: “As the people who do the job every day, Renfrewshire Council should listen to their workers when they say the remodelling isn’t working, but they’re not and that’s why members have been given no choice but to start a consultative ballot.
“The remodelling has left workers overworked and stressed.
“After all these workers have done for Renfrewshire Council over the past year in schools it’s shocking that Renfrewshire Council are treating them like this.
“That’s why we are calling on Renfrewshire Council to draw a line under their botched remodelling, and allow members to return to their previous shift patterns and schools.”
The workers fight for change has been backed by their teaching colleagues and the Educational Institute of Scotland.
Kenny Fella, Renfrewshire secretary of the EIS and who represents 1,700 teachers in the local authority area, has written to councillors to raise awareness of the key issues.
Stating he was “deeply concerned” about the changes to the staff’s working conditions, Mr Fella said schools were hugely dependent on the successful operation of its cleaning, catering and janitorial departments.
He said: “During the Covid-19 pandemic the GMB staff have been a vital resource in the drive to restore normal education provision within Renfrewshire.
“Any potential industrial action during this period would directly impact the health and safety of staff and pupils in schools and whether schools would be safe to open.
“This is at a time when the focus is on ensuring a safe school environment to support education recovery.
“EIS Renfrewshire wishes to express solidarity with our GMB trade union colleagues in the education sector who are in dispute with Renfrewshire Council over changes to their working conditions.”
This week GMB members are also meeting with local MSPs Neil Bibby, Katy Clark, and Paul O’Kane to raise their concerns.
A spokesman for Renfrewshire Council said: “We will always listen to concerns raised by staff and trade unions and look to resolve these as a matter of urgency.
“The refreshed, modern facilities management service has been welcomed by the vast majority of our staff, giving them improved opportunity for career progression, higher salaries and further training.
“Its implementation follows detailed work with our staff and trade unions over a substantial period and all trade unions, including GMB, supported these proposals.”
He added: “We are committed to ensuring that staff are happy, supported and fully trained to carry out their role as we strive to make our services the best they can be.”