NUT Members Strike to Defend Teaching Assistant Posts

Written by Heather Rawling retired NUT member

“Things are getting serious” a NUT member told me on the picket line at Uplands Junior School in Leicester.

In a second marvelous show of solidarity, teachers at an inner city school have taken another day’s strike action to defend children’s education and the jobs of eight teaching assistants.

A united picket line demonstrated the determination of teachers to win their dispute with the Head and Governors at Uplands Junior School in Leicester. Teaching assistants stood in solidarity with NUT members on the picket line.

Unison members would like to be withdrawing their labour but are having difficulty persuading their regional office to ballot for strike action. GMB union members are also hoping to be able to support further strike days. ATL have balloted and will be supporting further action.

The dispute is primarily against the head and governors restructuring plan which proposes cutting eight teaching assistant posts. Previously the staff have passed a motion of no confidence in the head teacher.

The City Council have appointed an independent person to investigated the NUT grievances. Amongst other demands, the NUT has asserted that it will cooperate with the investigation if the head is suspended and the restructuring process is halted.

If these demands are not met there will be a third one day strike on Thursday and further strike action this week. Unlike the first one day strike, the head has not closed the school. It is thought that over 100 hundred children were being taught by one supply teacher and some teaching assistants. It was reported that by 9.30 the attendance registers had not been taken.

A minority of parents are worried about the impact the action is having on their child’s education. But teachers argue that not taking action will have a worst impact. ‘If we don’t take 2/3 days strike action , then the school may not be able to open in September’ NUT members told me. All the basic planning has not taken place so no one knows who is teaching what class, who is supporting, who the line managers are going to be.

It is vital that staff at the school continue to get the support of the parents and community. The head and governors are actively trying to turn them against the dispute. A meeting with parents called by the unions could help forge even stronger links and isolate the head and his governors. Joint strike action by all union members would also demonstrate to the investigation and negotiating team the strength of staff feeling at the school.