Trade unions have called on MPs to give up a small part of their two-and-a-half month summer break to convince schools watchdog Ofsted to increase its pay offer to staff.
Unison and PCS members working at Ofsted asked schools secretary Ed Balls, schools and learners minister Jim Knight and several other MPs to intervene in the pay dispute.
Ofsted staff are currently working to rule – refusing to do overtime or use their personal cars for business – as part of a campaign of action against a three-year pay settlement. They have previously taken strike action over the deal, which requires them to move into a new pay structure.
Unison national officer Helga Pile said: “The long summer break gives MPs time to take action for their constituents working at Ofsted. Lobbying the employers to give staff a fair deal would be an important step in the right direction.
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“Our members working for Ofsted have families, and they cannot take another year of worrying about how to pay for the very basics of life.”
An Ofsted spokeswoman said: “The current work to rule is having almost no impact on our services.
“There is no further money available for pay regardless of the actions Unison is taking or may take. This position has been made very clear to them.”
