PICTURES: Protest outside Moray Council HQ calls for school office job cuts to be scrapped
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CAMPAIGNERS calling for cuts to school office jobs to be scrapped brought their fight to Moray Council this week.
Parents and children protested outside the local authority's headquarters on Wednesday, June 28, ahead of a meeting of the full council.
The local authority is currently reviewing the primary and nursery school administration service. It could result in some clerical assistants losing their jobs.
Administrators are also facing their hours being cut and their roles downgraded as part of the efficiencies exercise. Some services could also be centralised.
Campaigners against the proposed changes want office staff to be retained saying they are essential for pupil safety and the smooth running of their schools.
Cluny Primary School parent council member Sophie McWhirter helped organise the protest.
She said: "We want Moray Council to take notice and to have our voices listened to.
"So far they have blocked our conversation, which is why we are demonstrating in public.
"The folk in the office are the first face children see when they come into school in the morning. That is particularly important for children with additional support needs.
"Bear in mind 40 per cent of children in our schools have additional support needs. We want Moray Council to see we are not backing down."
The campaigners already have 1200 followers on their Facebook page Moray Community Voice. In addition, an online petition has amassed 500 signatures so far, and paper copies are available to sign in outlets across Moray.
Wendy Clarihew, who is a member of Elgin's East End Primary parent council, feels office workers regularly go above and beyond their duties.
She said: "They are the contact between the school and the wider community, and they do so much.
"They keep things running, and without them things just wouldn't get done. They really are the heart of the school."
Carried out by officers under delegated powers, the staff consultation closed on June 2.
Feedback from that will be collated and reviewed with the findings shared with staff after the summer holidays.
Public service union Unison has already raised concerns that the changes would mostly impact low paid workers, many of them women.
Campaigners against the cuts have held meetings to gather support against the cuts in Buckie and Elgin.
Their petition is expected to be presented to the council after the summer recess.
