Council strike 'to hit classes'

Unison wants London Weighting raised to £4,000

Pupils are likely to miss some lessons this week as hundreds of council staff go on strike in a long-running dispute over cost-of-living allowances.

School staff, including caretakers and cleaners, will be continuing union calls for the London Weighting allowance to be increased.

About 20 health control officers at Heathrow airport, who screen asylum-seekers, will also join the week-long walkout by council employees across the city from Monday.

Employers accused Unison of targeting special schools for the action, which they described as "unscrupulous".

The union is warning of further action next month unless its demands for a £4,000 a year London allowance are met.

The Association of London Government (ALG) said the union was attempting to close more than 70 schools in 12 boroughs, but it added many would remain open despite the strike.

'Held to ransom'

The ALG did admit some children will miss lessons this week because of the strike by staff, including school caretakers.

"Londoners are tired of being held to ransom by Unison's unreasonable wage demands," said councillor Anne John, chairwoman of the employer's side.

"Londoners would need to pay an extra £90 on their council tax to meet the cost of the pay claim."

A series of strikes was held last year as part of a union campaign to increase the allowance, which currently stands at £2,800 for inner London and £1,500 for outer London.