Responding to the Welsh government ending the use of level one teaching assistant roles, UNISON Cymru head of schools Rosie Lewis said today (Wednesday):
“This is fantastic news for teaching assistants across Wales. For too long, level one roles have been used to keep down the pay of staff who do skilled and demanding work.
“Too often teaching assistants cover lessons, help with planning and deal with disruption in class for poverty pay.
“This important change is all down to the campaigning work by the staff. They’re the ones who made the case and brought the evidence.
“Scrapping level one roles is an important first step to be celebrated. But it’s also time for fairer job evaluations, action to tackle excessive workloads and a focus on proper career progression.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Jim Poulter M: 07904 342511 E: j.poulter@unison.co.uk
