Teachers from NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Ark Alexandra Academy in Hastings are starting three days of strike action today (Tuesday) in protest at restructuring plans.
 
Restructuring plans are due to come into effect from September. The employer has failed to engage meaningfully and constructively with staff and union representatives and NASUWT believes the plans will have a significantly detrimental impact on teachers’ workloads.

Furthermore, staff have been subjected to harassment and victimisation for raising concerns about the impact of the restructuring.

NASUWT teachers will also take strike action tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday.

Matt Wrack, NASUWT General Secretary, said:
 
“Roles have been cut as a result of the restructure and we believe the impact of the plans, combined with new initiatives constantly being thrown at teachers, will have a deeply negative impact on their workloads and wellbeing.

“Staff have not been properly consulted about the restructure and their concerns have not only been ignored, but teachers have been issued with disciplinary letters which we believe is as a result of their vote for strike action.

“The lack of respect being shown to teachers throughout this process is deplorable. We are asking the employer to rethink its approach and agree to sit down with us and engage in meaningful negotiation on how it will meet its responsibilities for staff welfare.”

Sade Afolabi, National Executive Member for East Sussex, said:
 
“The restructuring will have a far reaching impact on staff across the school and it is deeply disappointing that the employer has adopted such a hostile attitude to legitimate concerns raised by its teachers.

“As professionals working on the frontline with pupils every day, they have the right to have their voices heard, but have been met with attempts to bully them into silent acquiesce.

“They have been left with no other choice than to take strike action in order to stand up for their right to decent working conditions and professional dignity.”