The Medway Labour and Cooperative Group today called on Conservative Medway Council to support Medway’s school-based Term-Time-Only staff.

Workers in Medway schools who work part-time have been awarded an increased annual leave entitlement following a national revision.  But, instead of honouring this award in full, Medway Council are offering to backdate it for only two years.  Workers will be entitled to only two weeks pay if they have worked for two years or more.

Other local authorities have offered a much better settlement.  For instance, Kent County Council have offered four weeks’ pay for those who have worked for four years or more. Greenwich Council have offered over five weeks and a national academy chain have also offered over five weeks.

Cllr Clive Johnson, Medway Labour and Cooperative Group Spokesperson for Children’s Services, said: 

‘Once again, Medway’s Conservative administration is letting down Medway’s workforce.  Term-Time-Only staff in schools worked hard, alongside other staff, throughout the pandemic to ensure that our young people were able to continue to learn.  The pandemic showed just who is a key worker and who makes a difference to our community.

‘And yet, when Medway’s Conservatives have the chance to recognise that commitment, they flunk it.  While our neighbours are paying four weeks’ pay, Medway is offering only half that.  They should be ashamed.’

Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of the Medway Labour and Cooperative Group, added:

‘Medway’s Conservatives have a poor record of below inflation pay rises and poor support for Medway’s workforce.  At the point where the cost-of-living crisis is biting lower income families hard, Medway should step up and match what our neighbours are offering.  This is simple justice for hardworking Medway workers.  It could also be an alarming case of discrimination, since so many of the Term-Time-Only workforce are women.

‘Medway’s Conservatives should address this issue urgently and provide the justice that these workers deserve.  It makes no sense that Medway’s workforce should be worse off than their neighbours.  Medway Labour will be making these points clearly at the forthcoming budget meeting.’