Strike action to defend working conditions
Members of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, will hold the first of six days of strike action starting tomorrow (1 October) at Nugent House School in Billinge and St Catherine’s Secure Centre in St Helens.
The action has been called as a result of the employer’s attempts to impose changes to the sick pay scheme.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:
“The strike action at both Nugent and St Catherine’s is completely avoidable.
“The NASUWT has made every effort to secure an agreed way forward through negotiation, but the employer has refused to listen to the serious concerns of teachers and has moved to impose proposals which threaten to worsen working conditions.
“Accepting these changes will open the door to further detrimental changes to terms and conditions.
“Our members are all dedicated and committed members of staff but they have been left with no choice given the employers’ intransigence.
“All that is needed to avoid the strikes is a commitment by the employer to engage in genuine negotiation on the proposals and to listen to the concerns of teachers.
“The NASUWT stands ready to resolve this dispute.”
Mick Burrows, NASUWT National Executive Member for Merseyside, said:
“These are dedicated professionals working in circumstances which are often difficult and challenging. They are absolutely committed to the children in their care.
“It is therefore regrettable that management is choosing to reward them for this dedication by insisting on a worsening of their terms and conditions.”
Notes to editors:
Further days of strike action are planned for 7, 8, 14, 15 and 16 October.
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