School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB)

School Support Staff Negotiating Body gets Royal Assent

The School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) (England) gained legal status on 12 November 2009. UNISON has eight of the 15 seats on the trade union side giving us a voting majority. All support staff in schools (only academy and private company staff excepted) will now be covered by any new pay and grading framework agreed by the SSSNB.

 

The SSSNB and its working groups meet regularly to develop the detailed proposals on roles, jobs and contracts. It is a statutory body under the Apprenticeships, Children, Skills and Learning Bill.

 

Dave Prentis UNISON General Secretary said, “This is no ordinary year for school support staff. UNISON has experienced a fair amount of frustration in the bid for fairer pay and conditions in schools. Getting the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) off the ground was a start-stop affair with hurdles on the way. But on 12 November 2009, with royal assent to the education bill, the SSSNB became a legal reality with hope for a radical overhaul of school staff pay and conditions”.

 

Developing new role profiles, a national grading system, a handbook of conditions and matching staff to them will be no mean feat. The intention is to agree as much as we can by April/May with a view to the process of change beginning in the autumn term. When the package is agreed, it will be put to members in a ballot to authorise the change of bargaining arrangements.

 

The Barnsley Branch of UNISON will be arranging meetings in all schools over the next few months, to update members on progress and to discuss any concerns you may have. This is an exciting time for school support staff, non-union members are welcome to attend and join us to be part of the future.

 

For details of the timetable for School Meetings please contact our Branch Organiser, on 01226 772988