Ash Field Academy Staff Strike Over Suspended Union Rep

0:00It's April 24th. You're listening to Lester News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Corey with the story. Staff at Ashfield Academy and Lester's Evington area are gearing up for strikes on April 30th and then again on May 13th and 14th. Technicians, caterers, and cleaners from the Unison Union are walking out over the suspension of teaching assistant Tom Barker, who's been off since. October 2025. They say it's tied to his union work, like organizing a strike ballot. The school, run by Discovery School's Academy Trust, insists the suspension is a separate confidential HR issue and not linked to union activities. They're pushing to keep things running for their students, who have some of the toughest needs in the East Midlands region. Leaders from both sides warn these strikes will hit kids, parents, and teachers hard. Pass action here lasted 43 days and want to pay bump, but it led to spotty attendance, kids dropping out, parents missing work, and even some. Redundancies that stretch remaining staff thin. A former teaching assistant

1:03described the chaos from before students upset by routine changes, families overwhelmed since school is their main break. The trust respects the right to strike, but stresses the disruption for vulnerable pupils who thrive on consistency. Talks continue as the trust works to minimize closures, especially for residential care, while the union calls for Barker's quick return to in this. Fast. We'll keep watching how it unfolds for these families.