Chartwells set to resolve staff dispute

Chartwells, the education arm of Compass, was yesterday (Wednesday) expecting to resolve an industrial dispute with school meals staff in Sandwell, in the West Midlands.

Around 200 members of trade union Unison last week voted for limited industrial action, commencing this week, over plans to reduce working hours in 23 schools.

The action began last Monday and involved a refusal to cover for absent colleagues or do anything but their normal working hours.

A spokeswoman for Chartwells said that talks with Unison had led to a revised proposal being put to the workforce yesterday, which Chartwells understood would be recommended for acceptance by Unison. The spokeswoman added that there had been no disruption to the school meals service through the industrial action.