 Allan
Wilson MSP has urged local union officials to put North Ayrshire Council’s
latest offer to striking nursery nurses to a ballot of their members for
their approval. Mr Wilson also backed First Minister, Jack McConnell’s
message on the on-going nursery nurse dispute. Mr Wilson said, “I know that
the union and the employers met last week and the Council presented revised
pay proposals which extended the previous offer made I understand the
Council’s proposal meets many of the demands made by Unison at the start of
the dispute and is reputedly in the top quartile of the Cosla settlements
reached so far “ said Mr Wilson.
“This dispute has gone on long enough, and while 11 councils have already
reached a settlement I hope that nursery nurses in North Ayrshire will also
be returning to work very shortly. I would urge Unison to give serious
consideration to recommending acceptance of the Council’s settlement
proposals.”
“Pre-school education can greatly assist young children and the Scottish
Executive has shown its commitment to investing in it. Some £137 million per
year has been provided to ensure that all 3 and 4 year olds are able to
benefit from free pre-school education, and we now have 83% of 3 year olds
and 99% of 4 year olds in nursery. It is now time to put these children
first,” said Mr Wilson.
Allan Wilson also backed plans for a nation-wide review into the current
terms and conditions of nursery nurses. Such a review would take into
account the additional responsibilities that nursery nurses now have, and
examine the need for structured career progression within the profession.
“It is clear to me that the role of nursery nurses has changed
significantly, and obviously pay and conditions should reflect these
changes. I hope that once this dispute is resolved that we can look
holistically at the role of nursery nurses, examining not just pay but also
other important factors such as career development” said Mr Wilson.
First Minister Jack McConnell stated, “I believe nursery nurses deserve a
fair salary or wage increase as part of the current dispute. They have got
additional responsibilities, there is additional money available and they
should receive a decent pay award. The union will not get everything they
are asking for, but they should get a decent pay rise as a result of the
current negotiations that should be taking place.”
“The people who are most affected by that are the children in the most
deprived communities, the children in the poorest families of Scotland, who
need that nursery provision in order to get a better start in life. And the
councillors involved, the council officials involved, and the trade union
officials involved, should put those children first, put the nurseries
first, and get back round the table and conclude those negotiations.” |
