Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at St Augustines’ Priory School in West London are taking strike action today and tomorrow (Wednesday May 24 and Thursday May 25) as part of eight days of strike action in May and June over threats to sack staff unless they sign contracts that will leave them with inferior pensions.
The Ealing school, which charges as much as £18k a year, wants teachers to withdraw from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and accept an inferior pension leaving them worse off in their retirement. Members have been told they must sign new contracts or risk being dismissed from their jobs. The school’s governors are refusing to allow trade unions to be part of formal negotiations opposing the changes.
This has left NASUWT members with no other option but to take strike action at the independent Catholic girls' school.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:
“These unjustified plans are an attack on the financial security of hard-working teachers and will leave them significantly worse off in their retirement.
“This is completely unjustified and it is not acceptable to use such disgraceful tactics to try and force changes that will only cause anger and damage morale at this school.
“Teachers want to be back in the classroom focusing on working with their pupils, but the behaviour 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.”
Ruth Duncan, NASUWT National Executive Member for London, said:
“To take strike action is the last thing that teachers want to do but by undermining their future financial security they have been left with no choice.
“It cannot be right that teachers are threatened with losing their jobs unless they agree to being worse off in retirement. Staff at St Augustines’ are deeply opposed to these bullying tactics and are determined they will not be intimidated by such disgraceful behaviour.
“The governors need to see sense, realise what they are doing is morally wrong and withdraw their threats.”
