Strike closes some special schools

Some special schools in London were forced to close last week
following a strike by 25,000 local government workers campaigning
for an increase in London weighting allowance.

Members of Unison, the TGWU and GMB, called the stoppage in support
of a flat London weighting of £4,000 for all council staff.
Currently, sums vary between £1,400 and £2,600.

A number of special educational needs schools were closed due to a
shortage of support staff, care workers and classroom assistants.
Transport for children with special needs was also affected.

Unison believes the cost of the rise can be offset by reducing the
use of agency staff, but Ann John, chairwoman of the employers’
side of the Greater London Provincial Council claimed it would mean
raising council tax by £90 a year or axing 11,000 jobs.