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From The Socialist newspaper, 22 March 2017
Derby TAs' strike suspended after new offer
TAs join a rally for Jeremy Corbyn in Derby 16 August 2016 photo Steve Score, photo Steve Score (Click to enlarge)
Charlie Taylor, Derby Socialist Party
Following a new offer from Labour-led Derby council, public sector union Unison has now suspended the all-out strike action by teaching assistants and school support staff.
The offer will be put to staff in a ballot starting on 22 March. Unison is recommending its 1,200 members involved should accept the offer.
In November 2016 staff were made an offer of a one-off compensation payment. This was rejected as only a small number of staff would have been compensated.
Details of the new offer are yet to be revealed but it will still probably be a one-off compensatory deal. Dozens of skilled and experienced support staff have already left their jobs as they cannot exist on their lower wages, with an average cut of £400 month. Despite any one-off offer, the wage cuts will remain.
There have been 16 different periods of strike action during the ten month dispute.
A teaching assistant approached the Socialist Party stall in the city centre on 18 March and said that if the deal is not good enough, the strike action can still be reinstated. The ballot will last a fortnight.
On Saturday 25 March Durham teaching assistants are staging a national day of solidarity to thank supporters and to ensure that the wider public are aware that they are still fighting against similar pay cuts.
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In The Socialist 22 March 2017:
What we think
Tory splits brought to the surface - Corbyn must go on the attack
Socialist Party news and analysis
Tories scrap housing benefit for under-21s
Fight Tory attacks on women and children
Socialists demand reply to Livingstone's smear of Militant
International socialist news and analysis
Northern Ireland: divisive election a warning
Jobstown Not Guilty: defend the right to protest
Netherlands: Heavy defeat for austerity government
Yemen: families left to starve by multinationals
Workplace news and analysis
Merseyrail guard found not guilty of "endangering safety"
End the seven-year public sector pay cap!
Aslef offer: unity needed with the RMT
Battle steps up in Unite general secretary election
Derby TAs' strike suspended after new offer
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
March against racism: Refugee Rights has lively bloc
Biggest ever protest by Orgreave campaigners
Join the march against NHS cuts and privatisation in Cumbria
Battle for Wallsend walk-in NHS service
East London demonstration against A&E closure
Salford: International Women's Day meeting
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
"After seeing the branch's effect in the community, I decided to join"
'I'm writing this to tell you about the plight of disabled people'
Precise, visceral account of working class heroism
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