School and nursery staff in Glasgow working up to 4 jobs

It's after members of UNISON rejected a 3.6% pay offer for council workers last week.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 12th Sep 2024
Last updated 13th Sep 2024

Non teaching staff working in schools and nurseries across Glasgow are telling us they are working three or four jobs because they're struggling to pay the bills.

It's after members of UNISON rejected a 3.6% pay offer for council workers last week.

"I am already £1.19 into my overdraft"

Laurana Kay works at Kelvin Park early years centre in the West End and is already in her overdraft this month.

She told Clyde 1: " This morning when I looked at my bank account I discovered I am already £1.19 into my overdraft and my wages are not due for another week.

"Everything will be bought on the credit card until then which means I will be starting the next month on the back foot."

Around 90,000 council workers are going to be asked if they want to strike for more money which could leave classrooms empty in the coming weeks.

"The majority of people in these jobs are women"

Other unions including GMB Scotland and Unite have accepted the current pay offer.

Sylvia Haughney works at an ASN school and said: "The majority of classroom assistants will have a cleaning job which they will do before starting their day job.

"Many then go and do caring jobs at night time just to make up one decent wage.

"The majority of people in these roles are women who're then relying on other people to look after their children while they're at work, it's just wrong."

We've approached COSLA - the body which awards local authorities with the money to pay wages - for a response.

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