Published on:
04
March 2004
The Council has reached agreement with Nursery Nurses, bringing an end to the current industrial action and an immediate return to normal opening of all its Nursery Schools and classes.
The deal will give a guaranteed salary grade maximum of £14,700 with the possibility of that rising to £15,100 then £15,600 for those experienced staff who have developed additional competencies. This allows for career progression, which the Council wants to encourage and which the Nursery staff themselves have requested.
Dave Jones, Director of Services to People said: "We are happy that we have been able to reach this agreement. By keeping the dialogue open we have been able to come to a decision that will mean a return to business as usual for our nurseries - and most importantly, children and parents locally."
The agreement establishes an increased salary scale for all Nursery Nurses and also sets down two further pay stages as a career progression for Nursery Nurses with additional competencies. The first extra point has been agreed and will be available from August 2004 and the second stage is being worked on with the Unions and Nursery Nurses along with the Council and will come on stream in August 2005.
Councillor Brian Fearon, Convener of the Leisure and Lifelong Learning Committee said: "I am delighted that we have been able to reach a solution to that meets everyone's objectives and allows our nurseries to continue providing a valuable service to the community." Ends
Note: The current salary for Nursery Nurses is £13,896 for a 32 1/2 hour week, working 39 weeks (only school term.)