Barnsley nursery staff strike against plans for private takeover

Thirty-three nursery workers in Grimethorpe have joined strike action at six Barnsley council nurseries over plans to transfer them to private providers. They say the change could weaken support for vulnerable children and reduce their pension benefits, while the council says transferring the nurseries will protect jobs and keep services available to families.

The workers, all GMB members, voted unanimously for strike action; the dispute follows a 100% turnout in the ballot. The council says staff were told promptly after legal advice that they would no longer qualify for the local government pension scheme, and that cover was arranged for families during the three strike days. One nursery remains closed after the council deregistered it with Ofsted and the private provider then withdrew; the article says Barnsley nursery workers each care for four children aged over two.