Strikers 'used' children at special school

6:40am Friday 18th July 2008

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STRIKING staff at a special school have been accused of using vulnerable children to further their pay claim.

As public sector union Unison’s pay strike entered its second day, support staff at Lancaster Special School, Westcliff, picketed outside the school yesterday.

Among the banners held up by pickets was one quoting comments which might be attributed to Lancaster’s pupils, who have profound learning disabilities.

Roger Hadley, the Southend Tory councillor responsible for education, described the banner as “awful”.

He said: “Using children to support their call for higher pay award is not the right way to go about this.

“It’s awful to use people’s sentiments and I don’t agree with it. If they feel they have a case they should just picket straightforwardly.”

The banner included the phrases “keep me safe”, “listen and give me advice”, “help me to behave” and “help my wheelchair up the hills”.

Headteacher Phil Rodbar said he was unaware of the banner.

He said: “I’m not aware of it happening in school, but I’d assume it didn’t happen in school time.

“Teachers would not use educational time for this sort of thing. It may be the staff have used what has been said to them in the past and cobbled something together to write on the banner.

“I can’t comment any further, but will ask a few questions of my staff.”

More than 20 staff at the school, in Prittlewell Chase, joined the strike, in pursuit of a 6 per cent rise. They have been offered 2.45 per cent.

One female picket, who did not want to be named, said: “It was really nice to see the banner.

“I’m not surprised the teachers helped them because most of them are 100 per cent behind us.

“The support generally has been good.

“We were quite vocal on our picket line and people driving past were beeping their horns.”

In Southend, Westbor-ough primary school and West Leigh Infants and Juniors were completely closed, and several others were partially closed.

Other council services affected included libraries, youth centres and the Avro Viking Community Resource Centre.

Unison branch secretary Claire Wormald said: “The Civic Centre was very quiet again and there were closures of schools, and libraries and some council departments.

“It’s had a good impact with lots of support.”