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Pay rise bid for 1,000 assistants

An equal pay claim on behalf of nearly 1,000 teaching assistants has been lodged by Unison, in what it believes to be the largest claim of its kind in the UK and Europe. The claim could affect the salary of a total of 4,000 teaching assistants employed by Lancashire County Council, including nursery nurses, special support assistants and learning and classroom assistants, costing the council up to 10m. It could also set a precedent for other local authorities.

The claim could affect the salary of a total of 4,000 teaching assistants employed by Lancashire County Council, including nursery nurses, special support assistants and learning and classroom assistants, costing the council up to 10m. It could also set a precedent for other local authorities.

Unison submitted the claim to an employment tribunal last Friday in Manchester, but said it had stayed its application 'on the basis that Lancashire County Council has agreed to negotiate to secure satisfactory gradings for its school support staff'. The union and the county council hope a settlement can be reached without a formal employment tribunal hearing.

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