School workers are in battles over pensions

Girls Day School Trust strikers fighting for pensions in February (Pic: Guy Smallman)

After a further three days of strikes from Tuesday of last week, teachers at 23 private schools have forced management to the negotiation table.

The over 1,500 NEU union members at the Girls Day School Trust offered to suspend the strikes if bosses agreed to Acas arbitration talks. But management refused.

Management was forced to U-turn after seeing the strike’s strength. The staff has held six strike days to defend the Teachers Pension Scheme.

Kevin Courtney, joint NEU general secretary, said, “The Girls’ Day School Trust has no justification in its plan to slash the pensions of its teaching staff. This will be a disaster for staff, for future recruitment and for pupils.”

Now NEU members must push for more action soon and not settle for offers below their demands.

• Staff at Ipswich School in Suffolk and Prior’s Field School in Surrey were set to walk out on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week in a battle to remain in the Teachers Pension Scheme.
  Messages of support to [email protected]
• Workers at Forest private school in east London are striking again for three days from Tuesday this week.
  The NEU members are fighting to remain in the Teachers Pension Scheme and for trade union recognition.
  The workers previously struck for one day forcing management to concede to teachers staying in the pension scheme. But the school’s bosses want teachers to sign a new contract that will result in pay cuts. Join the picket line from 7am and send solidarity messages to [email protected]