School support workers at a multi-academy trust in Lincolnshire will have their wages and jobs protected as part of a deal reached following successful strike action, said UNISON leaders on Friday (May 15).

Teaching assistants, administrators and other support staff at eight schools run by the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire are said by the union to have seen off threats to jobs and pay that, the union says, would have meant some staff losing up to 20 per cent of their wages.

More than 100 UNISON members took strike action against the trust’s plans in March and April including staff at St Hugh's Catholic Primary School, Lincoln and Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Primary School in Sleaford. More walkouts were planned for this month, but the union postponed further action while negotiations continued.

They had been joined by teaching colleagues from NASUWT.

Staff picketing outside Our Lady of Good Counsel RC School in March.

placeholder image — Staff picketing outside Our Lady of Good Counsel RC School in March.

UNISON staff are now celebrating a victory, after they say the trust agreed to a 12-point plan that protects existing wages and jobs – including some roles at other schools run by the same employer.

The agreement ensures the vast majority of staff will not lose pay, hours or be downgraded and there will be no compulsory redundancies.

UNISON regional schools lead Josie Lloyd said: “This is a hard-fought win for school staff, and it shows that collective action works. The improved offer represents a significant shift from the trust’s original proposals.

“Workers can now return to the jobs they care deeply about – supporting and educating pupils – knowing that their pay and conditions are protected.”

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust runs 36 primary and secondary schools. Union members at eight schools took four days of strike action on March 24 and 25 March and April 21 and 22.

A spokesperson for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi‑Academy Trust said: "Following positive discussions between Our Lady of Lourdes CMAT and UNISON an agreement has been reached to end the dispute. Both parties feel that the agreement represents a positive resolution.”

However NASUWT says its teaching staff members remain in dispute with the trust. “There are still possible compulsory redundancies involving our members and workload issues resulting from staff cuts,” said a NASUWT spoksperson. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust has been approached for comment.