Islington teachers say, ‘No zero-hours contracts in our schools’

Teachers at the Stem 6 Academy in Islington, north London, were set to strike on Thursday of this week.

They are fighting plans that would effectively leave them with zero hours contracts and are also demanding union recognition.

The strikers are NUT union members. They plan a further two-day strike on Wednesday and Thursday of next week and a three-day strike the following week.

The academy is a free school for 16-19 year olds.Teachers signed new contracts after being told there would be “legal consequences” if they refused. The contracts state that the school can “temporarily lay you off from work without normal contractual pay” or “reduce your normal working hours”.

Ken Muller is assistant secretary of Islington NUT. He said the contracts showed “callous disregard” for workers and “scant respect” for students who are being given “education on the cheap”.