Ofsted staff to strike over pay deal

Ofsted staff will go on strike this week, leading union Unison has announced.

The walk-out, scheduled for Friday 16 May, will be in protest against what unions have branded a miserly pay deal.

According to Unison more than 1,000 staff will strike, bringing inspections of nurseries, care homes, childminders and boarding schools to a halt.

Helga Pile, Unison national officer for Ofsted, said: “Our Ofsted members are loyal public sector workers, not hard-liners prone to strike. However they are disappointed and very angry at employers who are constantly demanding more work for less pay.”

According to Unison and union PCS, the pay deal offered by Ofsted is below the rate of inflation. Union members also rejected a new pay structure.

Neil March, PCS negotiations officer for Ofsted, said: “If Ofsted wants to avoid this industrial action it has to demonstrate a commitment to an improved offer.”