Dozens of County Durham schools to close due to teaching assistants' strike
More than 100 schools in County Durham will be closed or partially closed during a strike by teaching assistants on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Members of the UNISON and ATL trade unions will mount picket lines, in a long-running dispute with the council over proposed contract changes.
They claim some school support staff could lose up to 23% of their salaries, under plans to pay them for term-time only.
Durham County Council argues it has to make the changes to protect itself against equal pay claims from other staff.
Click here for a list of schools due to be affected by the strike
UNISON says around 100 primary schools will be affected - while Durham County Council says "the majority are expected to remain fully open."
The council said: "on Monday night, 37 of the county’s 243 schools – mainly nurseries and special schools – said they would be closed during the walkout, with 76 informing parents that particular classes would see some interruption."
The council also says around 40% of its teaching assistant workforce voted in favour of strike action, but the majority did not.
UNISON is the largest trade union, representing around 1750 of County Durham's 2600 teaching assistants.
In its ballot last month, 93% voted in favour of strike action - on a turnout of 64%.
Among the smaller unions, ATL members voted to strike - but GMB and Unite members voted to accept the council's revised offer, including more compensation, and so will not join the walkout.
Watch: May 2016 - Councillors approve controversial TA pay plans
UNISON also announced it has launched a national hardship fund to ensure no teaching assistants on strike in County Durham suffer financially.
The fund will be made up of an initial £150,000 - and the union said: "any Durham teaching assistant needing financial support through this dispute will get it – from day one."
On Wednesday morning, teaching assistants plan to lobby a meeting of Durham County Council, and UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis will address a rally at Durham Miners' Association.