As Nursery World went to press, the strike was expected to take place on Wednesday 6 June and would close all four council nurseries - Disraeli, Hanbury, Hanwell and Windmill.
The 46 staff, with one exception, are all women and have been undertaking new duties and responsibilities since a reorganisation in 1996. Their pay has not been reviewed in more than 11 years and public service union, Unison, has accused the council of reneging on an agreement that would have resulted in significant pay rises, and brought the nursery workers in line with other authority staff.
The strike follows a rally by 2,000 to 3,000 Scottish nursery nurses in Glasgow last month also demanding better pay, conditions and status (News, 24 May).
Brian Blake, Ealing Unison convenor for the social services department, said, 'It is Ealing's unreasonable attitude that has led to this strike. Despite all attempts by Unison to negotiate a fair and reasonable outcome, the council still refuses to listen to common sense.
'Staff are angry that while senior managers bask in the reflected glory of receiving an award for allegedly being "the best social services management team", low-paid nursery workers are not getting the accolades that their hard work and dedication deserve. Staff have said enough is enough.'
Last month, Nottinghamshire nursery nurses successfully negotiated a major pay rise. Qualified staff will be able to earn up to 18,417 a year, as part of a package which promises a career structure that rewards their skills and commitment (News, 24 May).