| UNISON City of Edinburgh Branch |
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21 May 2003 Huge support for Edinburgh's nursery nurses on first strike dayParents 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 |
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