By Gavin Mackintosh-
Staff at the NASUWT teaching union are due to strike again in a dispute over their pay and pensions, after they overwhelmingly voted in support of a second round of industrial action over pay.
The GMB union, which represents workers at the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers, says it has secured “overwhelming backing” in an “unprecedented industrial action re-ballot of members working at the teaching union”. Dates for the action are yet to be announced but the GMB has warned that strikes could continue into 2019-20 if a deal is not reached.
The planned strike follows a three day strike in 2018 over proposed changes to pensions which will see staff pay more into their pensions, but get less out once they retire.The States Employment Board have been locked in a long-running dispute with large sections of the civil service after several pay offers were rejected. he Union say that as from April 23rd when schools reopen after the Easter break – its members will resume action to protest .
Head teachers across all schools have written to parents to say this could disrupt children’s education. The decision to strike breaches the 2016 trade union act that stipulates permission from their employer for unions basing industrial action on a ballot more than 6 months old. NASUWT have refused an extension to 9 months, despite their known disapproval of the 2016 Act. Active GMB organiser, Dominic Hinks, said in a statement:
“The employer’s botched attempt to derail our legitimate dispute by threats to our members over strike deductions and by using anti-union laws has totally backfired,” said Dominic Hinks, a GMB organiser.
“NASUWT bosses should’ve long ago settled this dispute with us but now must explain to NASUWT activists and members why damaging strike action may stretch into the key month of September.”
Hinks said his members in the NASUWT were “committed trade unionists.
“They care deeply about the teachers they represent and are passionate about the education service. The last thing our GMB members want to be doing is taking industrial action against a sister union.”
The row has been going on for too long and really should be resolved as soon as possible.