21 May 2003
Huge support for Edinburgh's nursery nurses on first strike
day
Parents and other Council colleagues joined hundreds of nursery
nurses in a demonstration at Edinburgh's City Chambers today 21
May. Support also came from nursery nurses from Glasgow and Fife.
Joe Di Paola, UNISON's Scottish Local Government Organiser, told
the demonstartion"Despite press calls from CoSLA for us to get
back round the table," He said "We have had no letters, phone
calls or any other contact offering talks. We condemn such megaphone
negotiations and suggest that if they seriously want to resolve
this issue, rather than crying crocodile tears over disruption
they take action to settle the dispute."
Barbara Foubister, Branch Chair and a nursery nurse herself thanked
members for the turnout and outlined plans for the dispute. "We
thank everyone who has turned out and it shows just how united
nursery nurses are in fighting for a long overdue settlement",
she said.
Branch Secretary John Stevenson recalled that he and Barbara
had seen several attempts to get 'Justice for the Nursery Nurse'
over the last 15 years. "The public are behind you",
he told the members, "especially when they here how low your
pay is - but also because you have worked closely with parents".
Elizabeth Hunter, a Fife nursery nurse, was warmly welcomed.
"We've accepted things for too long but we're not accepting
it now - we want it sorted", she said to loud applause.
Parents joined nursery nurses on picket lines across the city.
The action continues tomorrow before a return to work on Friday
- then a further series of strikes will be announced.
ENDS
Nursery Nurses campaign page
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