Barnsley Council responds to GMB’s ballot on industrial action

Following GMB’s recent announcement that it intends to hold a consultative ballot with nursery staff on industrial action, we’d like to set out Barnsley Council’s position.   

Since 2024, we have been reviewing six nursery sites across Barnsley. 

Last year, Full Council agreed to transfer the six council nurseries to another provider. The aim is to keep childcare available for families over the long term. 

The proposal would keep nursery places open, protect jobs and keep nursery staff skills in the settings. It would also allow a new provider to offer more childcare for local families. This could include childcare outside term time, at least 30 funded hours of childcare, and places for children from nine months old, where those options are available.  

The change would also reduce the amount of council taxpayers’ money needed to support the nurseries. 

Cllr William Brown, Leader of Barnsley Council, said: “Families need childcare that works for them. That means local places, more flexible hours where possible, and care for younger children as well as older children. 
 
“The review started before I was elected. But the position is clear. The council cannot provide the childcare offer families need with the money we have. This proposal is about keeping nursery provision available and sustainable. It’s not privatisation, outsourcing or ‘selling the business’, as GMB has claimed. 

“Councils do not have a legal duty to run nurseries. Under this proposal, nursery services would run separately from the council. The council would still own the buildings and remain the landlord. 

“I know the pension issue matters to staff. At the start, there was discussion about whether staff could stay in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Managers shared the advice they had at the time and were open with staff from the start. 

“Further legal advice later made clear that staff are not eligible to stay in that scheme. That information was shared quickly with staff and trade unions in spring this year. 

“TUPE protects staff terms and conditions, but it does not automatically protect pensions. The preferred provider is, however, proposing more than the basic statutory pension scheme. This has come through negotiation. Staff will also keep all the benefits they have built up in the Local Government Pension Scheme. 

“This review has been unsettling for staff. We’ve been through an extensive consultation, with support from Trade Unions. At the last meeting, trade unions – including GMB - had agreed to move forward on the proposed TUPE arrangements and pension scheme because they protect people’s jobs. Given that progress, we are disappointed that GMB has now moved to an industrial action ballot. 

 
“There are two steps before industrial action can happen. First, staff are being asked for their views in a consultative ballot. If members support taking things further, a formal strike ballot may then be held. 

 "We will put children and families first. We respect the right to strike, but we won't allow the threat of industrial action to dictate our decisions. If staff do make the decision to strike we'll do everything we can to keep services going."