The industrial dispute over plans to transfer six council-run nurseries to another provider has now moved to the formal strike-ballot stage.
The affected nurseries are in Athersley, Wombwell, Worsbrough, Grimethorpe, Penistone and Thurnscoe.
GMB has raised concerns about pension arrangements for staff following the proposed transfer. An earlier indicative ballot was closed early after GMB said 100% of participating staff indicated they were prepared to move to a formal strike ballot.
GMB says the formal ballot began on Monday 5 October. The union argues staff had previously expected to retain access to their existing Local Government Pension Scheme.
Barnsley Council says subsequent legal advice found staff would not be eligible to remain in that scheme following the transfer. The council says the preferred provider is proposing a pension arrangement above the basic statutory scheme and that staff would keep benefits they have already built up in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Barnsley Council says the transfer is intended to protect nursery places, protect jobs, make services more sustainable, potentially provide more flexible childcare and expand provision for younger children where possible. The council would also continue to own the nursery buildings and act as landlord.
Source information
Source: GMB, Barnsley Council