Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Hutchesons’ Grammar School in Glasgow will start the first of four planned days of strike action tomorrow (Tuesday) over attempts by the school to downgrade their pensions through a ‘fire and rehire’ process.
The independent school, which was attended by First Minister Humza Yousaf and leader of the Scottish Labour Party Anas Sarwar, has sought to impose an inferior pension scheme on teachers and threatened them with the sack if they did not agree to the changes.
The employer finally agreed to meet with unions last Friday to discuss the dispute. While some progress was made in discussing alternative options for pensions arrangements, no offer which would justify withdrawing the strike action was forthcoming. The NASUWT remains committed to further talks with the school to seek to resolve the dispute.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:
“It is regrettable that it is only at the eleventh hour that the school agreed to sit down with us to discuss a resolution to this dispute. It is clear that it is only the refusal of members to accept being treated in such a shoddy manner that has brought the employer to the table.
“While we remain committed to working with the employer to resolve this dispute, until such time as concrete proposals come forward from the employer, the planned strike action will continue.
“We have made it clear to the employer that we are ready to meet at any time to continue talks and hope that concrete proposals can be brought forward by the school that will safeguard our members’ pensions and enable us to resolve this dispute.”
Mike Corbett, NASUWT National Official Scotland, said:
“Members at Hutchesons’ have made the very difficult and brave decision to stand up for their rights in the face of immense pressure and hostility from their employer.
“It is disappointing and frustrating that the employer has not acted before now to open talks with us that could have avoided industrial action and the consequent disruption to pupils and parents.
“If the employer is serious about wanting to resolve this dispute it must now bring forward detailed and credible plans for teachers’ pensions that can start to rebuild the trust and confidence of staff.”
