Teachers at Haberdashers Boys and Girls Schools in Elstree are to start five days of strike action on Wednesday over attempts to impose detrimental changes to their pensions.

Employers are trying to cap their future contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, meaning that teachers would have to foot the bill for any future increases in the employer contribution rate, rather than the employer meeting the additional costs. The employer has used fire and rehire tactics to try to force through these changes, with large numbers of teachers receiving letters of dismissal and reengagement on amended contracts.

Teachers from NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union at both schools are due to take strike action on 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th and 21st May. Teachers will be picketing outside the school between approximately 7.15am and 9.30am.
 
Matt Wrack, NASUWT General Secretary, said:

“There no need for a pension cap to be imposed as the government has not announced any increase to the employer contribution rate. This is a defensive move designed to protect the employer from any future costs at the expense of staff.

“The employer is seeking to offload its financial responsibilities and make teachers foot the bill in the future. To make matters worse, it is using bullying fire and rehire tactics to try to force through these changes.

“These plans are completely indefensible and demonstrate a lack of respect for hard-working teachers.”

Stephen Howells, NASUWT National Executive Member for Hertfordshire, said:

“This is an unacceptable attack on the basic pay and conditions of teachers and is completely without any justification.

“We will not stand by and allow an employer to dodge its responsibilities and bully staff into picking up the bill.”