Leading public sector union UNISON has raised concerns at proposals to reduce the school week to four and a half days and the potential impact on workers with childcare commitments and other responsibilities.
Dumfries and Galloway Council is considering plans to close schools at lunchtime one day a week, and to extend the school day on other days so no time is lost.
UNISON which is the biggest union representing council workers fears it could impact on school support staff and other council employees in the authority and parents working elsewhere for a multitude of reasons.
J’an Andrews, secretary of the Dumfries and Galloway branch of UNISON said “We are angry that the council saw fit to request feedback in advance from school headteachers yet there are hundreds of other council workers who would also be affected, along with the wider community who haven’t been consulted yet.
“While the idea of a four-and-a-half-day week may be well received by some, we are fuming that the views of school support staff have not been included so far.
“Many school support staff have more than one job and it could be really difficult for them to maintain their working arrangements with a change in hours. Many workers are also parents and work fulltime so will face childcare issues if schools start earlier and close later.
“As far as we know the changes wouldn’t apply to nurseries or early years centres initially, so this causes further problems for families with pre-school children and children at schools if they are all on different timetables. Families have enough to juggle at the moment between working and arranging childcare without adding further complications.
“We all know that women are generally the primary carers, so they are going to be impacted the most, both council employees and parents in the community.
“We are also really worried about how this will impact on workers with health conditions and disabilities who have had reasonable adjustments made, will it be possible for these to continue with the new timetable when they are having to work longer days?
“Services to special needs pupils could also be adversely impacted with many of the staff working on temporary contracts or on a casual or supply basis. How will they be affected? And how will it impact on these children?”
UNISON also expressed concern about school transport arrangements, the risk of truancy on the proposed half day and the lack of facilities for young people when they were not at school which could lead to anti-social behaviour.
UNISON is issuing a survey to members about the proposed changes and potential impact.
For further information contact UNISON Dumfries at 01387 257393.
