On Thursday 22nd May, members of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union will begin strike action at Glodwick Infant and Nursery School in Oldham due to continuous issues with health and safety, and mistreatment of staff. Further strike days are planned on 3, 4, 5 and 10, 11 and 12 June.
For years, teachers at Glodwick have endured a lack of action from school leadership over health and safety risks onsite. It is becoming increasingly difficult for teachers to report and mitigate these risks as leadership is not responding in an appropriate manner.
Two months ago, the teachers took the difficult decision to escalate their concerns to Oldham Local Authority. Last week, it seemed that progress had finally been made, with Oldham promising to put measures in place to mitigate risks and protect teachers. But Oldham have reneged on the deal, leaving teachers vulnerable to persistent intimidation and bullying from senior leaders. They have no choice but to take industrial action.
Matt Wrack, Acting General Secretary for NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, said:
“Adherence to health and safety protocols is a basic requirement in any school, and the support of leadership is essential. Teachers at Glodwick are doing their best to make school safe for their pupils but they are hitting one brick wall after another in this complex dispute.
“If Oldham Local Authority want to solve the problems at Glodwick, they will need to show a much stronger hand in dealing with the issues there. We are asking them to step in urgently and put appropriate leadership in place. Teachers will not be able to keep themselves or their pupils safe until this is done.”
Jac Casson and Rachel Knight, National Executive Members for District 4, said:
“Glodwick teachers have raised valid concerns about the safety of the school site. These issues should be dealt with in a professional and respectful manner, but teachers are instead being victimised by leadership.
“NASUWT is The Teachers’ Union and we take the safety of teachers extremely seriously. The local authority has a duty of care to these teachers and must make sure they are protected and empowered to get back into the classroom.”
