AROUND 200 school support staff for youngsters with complex needs protested against planned changes to their roles.

Pupil support assistants (PSA) carried placards saying: "Educate not medicate," as they gathered outside Glasgow's City Chambers over a dispute involving healthcare responsibilities.

Trade union Unison is arguing that PSAs are being forced to take on extra duties, including administering medicine, without being given formal training.

The council says no staff will be forced to support pupils with medical cond-itions under a new contract if they do not want to.

It came as the fourth day of strike action in a month saw one school closed and at least 54 pupils forced to stay at home.

As the Evening Times reported, Complex Learning Needs school Kelbourne Park was shut, while others were disrupted, as the action targeted the north west of the city.

Picket lines took place yesterday morning at Scotstoun, Bankhead and Dunard primaries.

Georjean Cammisar, 52, a PSA who has worked at Scotstoun Primary for 14 years, spoke out at the rally.

She said: "It is unfair the way the council has done this. There has been no consultation and it is unfair on the children. Strike action is the last resort but we want to get our message across. I am hopeful the council will meet us and listen to us."

A meeting was due to be held today between the council and Unison to try to reach an agreement but fears are growing that staff will lose their jobs if they do not accept the new contract.

A letter from the council, dated October 30, states: "If agreement cannot be reached an option which may be considered by the council is to give notice to terminate your current contract and offer re-engagement on a new contract that incorporates this change."

The council said it would consider this "reluctantly".

A 55-year-old support assistant at the demons-tration said: "Clearly they are playing dirty. Some people do want to take on the roles and others don't, but we are being told we could lose our job over this."

A 44-year-old support assistant, who asked not to be named, said: "All we want is the best for the children and I think the parents' views, our views and the children's views need to all be taken into consideration to reach an agreement."

Councillor Stephen Curran said: "We are not forcing anyone to carry out specialist healthcare tasks. Through-out this dispute we have listened to concerns and offered to improve the pay of staff where appropriate."

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk