Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Ewell Castle Senior and Prep Schools in Epsom are starting the first of seven days of planned strike action tomorrow (Wednesday) after being threatened with dismissal from their jobs unless they agree to new contracts that would leave them worse off in retirement.

The Employer is seeking to withdraw from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and impose inferior pension arrangements on teachers which would adversely affect their future financial security.
Teachers have been threatened with fire and rehire if they do not agree to sign new contracts amending their pension entitlements.

Matt Wrack, NASUWT Acting General Secretary, said:
 
“We do not believe these proposals are necessary or justified.

“They represent a direct attack on the finances of hard-working teachers which will affect them and their families long into the future.

“The use of reprehensible strong-arm tactics by the Employer to try to force through these changes is no way to treat staff and they are deeply angry and demoralised by the attitude their Employer has displayed towards them.

“Teachers want to be back in the classroom focusing on working with their pupils, but the intransigence of the Employer has left them with no option but to strike.

“The Employer must agree to withdraw these proposals and work with us so that further strike action can be avoided.”
 
Sade Afolabi, NASUWT National Executive Member for Surrey, said:

“It is outrageous that teachers have been threatened with dismissal from their jobs if they do not agree to a downgrading of their pensions.

“Undermining the conditions of teachers in this way will jeopardise the future supply of teachers at the school and adversely impact on the provision of high-quality education for pupils.

“It is a short-sighted move and one which the Employer must withdraw without delay so we can resolve this dispute.”