Barnsley nursery workers are set for a full strike ballot over the 'theft' of their pensions.
GMB has today (Thursday) closed an indicative industrial ballot early after one hundred percent of staff voted said they would be ready for a full strike ballot.
The early years workers are employed by six nurseries across Barnsley which have been outsourced by the council to private provider Limetree
Despite repeated promises they would keep their existing Local Government pensions, staff have now been told they will be moved onto the private company's basic statutory pension scheme.
This will result in a significantly lower pay out in their retirement and removes their Death in Service entitlement
The formal strike ballot will begin on 5 October.
Vicky Austin, GMB Organiser, said:
“This result sends a powerful message to the Barnsley Council leadership.
"These nursery workers love what they do, but they will not stand by and allow their hard earned pensions and working conditions to be ripped up by politicians in the Town Hall.
"This feels like a deliberate attack on low paid women and they are absolutely clear that they will fight back.
“It is essential that Barnsley bosses listen to their staff and urgently reverse this decision, if they do not parents and children face an autumn of disruption as action escalates."
