Barnsley workers strike over nursery privatisation by Reform council
Summary
Workers at six Barnsley council nurseries went on strike after the Reform UK-led council decided to transfer the services to private providers. Staff and their union say the change threatens pension benefits and could harm support for children and families, while the council says it will protect jobs and reduce the cost to taxpayers.Key Facts
- All members who voted in the GMB union’s strike ballot supported industrial action.
- The transfer plans began under the previous Labour-led council, which had assured workers that pay and benefits, including pensions, would remain the same.
- GMB regional organiser Victoria Austin said workers were told about the pension impact 36 hours before the planned transfer.
- One nursery closed after the council deregistered it with Ofsted for the transfer, but the private provider later withdrew.
- The council said it had no legal duty to run nurseries and that transferring them would reduce the council tax money needed to support them.
- Council leader William Brown said the transfer was intended to protect jobs and keep nursery services available to families.
- Workers described helping families with food parcels, doctor visits and support for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
- The council said it arranged additional provision for families on the three strike days and was continuing discussions with the union.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
