A FRESH round of industrial action began at schools and libraries yesterday as part of a campaign to double London weighting allowances.

Librarians in 17 London boroughs, and support staff including dinner ladies, caretakers and classroom assistants at 70 schools went on strike demanding a £4,000 flat-rate allowance.

The week-long action is the latest stoppage by staff belonging to Unison and the Transport and General Workers Union in support of their demands. Further action by parking attendants, street cleaners and refuse collectors in Hackney and Newham is planned for next week.

London weighting ranges from £1,400 to £1,900 in Outer London and £2,600 in the centre. The unions want it increased among local authority workers to £4,000 to take into account the high cost of living in the capital.

The union action was condemned by the Association of London Government as an unacceptable disruption of children’s education.

Councillor Ann John, a spokewoman for the Association, said that councils did not have the £250 million needed to meet the union demands and that staff received an above-inflation rise last year and will get a further 3.5 to 4.5 per cent increase next month.

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