Support staff at east London school to vote on strike action, says UNISON

Friday 5 June 2026
For immediate release

Support staff at east London school to vote on strike action, says UNISON

Support staff at St Paul’s Way school in Tower Hamlets are being balloted for strike action in a row over job cuts and changes to contracts, says UNISON today (Friday).

The union says 8 jobs are at risk, with staff also facing cuts to allowances and changes to working hours.

School bosses plan to move some staff on to term-time-only contracts, which could mean a pay cut of up to 22%, UNISON says.

The changes come at a time when employees already face increasing workloads and pressure, the union says.

UNISON's ballot opens on 11 June and closes on 25 June.

UNISON Tower Hamlets branch secretary Kerie Anne said: "Staff are angry about potential job losses and significant wage cuts for some workers.

"Support staff are the backbone of any school. They play a vital role for pupils, families and teachers every day, and they deserve to be treated with respect.

"There's still time for bosses to rethink these plans, engage meaningfully with staff and their union, and protect jobs and pay.”

UNISON school rep Dionne Mottley said: "Cuts to support staff increase pressure on the remaining workers and undermine school stability.

"We’re already seeing significant challenges linked to pupil behaviour and safeguarding, including concerns around violence.

"Reducing support staff capacity at a time like this would be the wrong approach for pupils, families and staff."

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members delivering public services in social care, education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy across the public, voluntary and private sectors.

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Emma Davey E: [email protected] M: 07432 733187