Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/698/13337
From The Socialist newspaper, 14 December 2011
Langdon school strike
Manny Thain, East London Socialist Party
Bullying has always been a problem in schools. As the commercialisation of education accelerates, however, it is often the teachers on the receiving end - from senior management.
In Langdon school, Newham, east London, teachers who have opposed the massively increased workloads and far-reaching changes to the curriculum have been targeted by the head teacher.
The victimisation has provoked a series of strikes, escalating from one-day stoppages to the current three-day strikes each week. The strength of feeling is such that, of the 78 teachers taking action, over 40 attend the picket lines.
Following a meeting organised by the local NUT, attended by 80 parents, the branch secretary was threatened with the loss of facility time for organising an event inconsistent with union activity!
On top of the stories of their own mistreatment, teachers recount with disgust how students supporting their action were humiliated, made to stand on stage to apologise in front of the school assembly.
What gives this dispute a further insidious twist is that supply teachers and agency staff are being used to break the strike. This is supposed to be unlawful, but a loophole is being exploited. Newham council - a New Labour one-party borough under arch-Blairite mayor, Sir Robin Wales - is issuing work 'contracts' to the agency staff. Although these are hardly worth the paper they are printed on, they are enough to get round the legal restrictions.
This so-called 'Labour' council has an atrocious record, pursuing Con-Dem cuts and years of attacks on jobs, working conditions and union organisation. Now it is actively strike-breaking. If the intimidation and victimisation, along with the strike-breaking methods, are successful they could be used as a template around the country.
As we go to press, negotiations are ongoing. But if there is no resolution by the end of term, resources to spread the strike to other schools in the borough will need to be put in place. Further initiatives will be needed to strengthen the support of parents and students, and to mobilise the wider community - and the council should be besieged by protest.
Messages of support should be sent to: nutlangdon@aol.co.uk
Postscript. NUT members at Langdon school have voted by 59 to 0 (with four abstentions) to suspend their strike action after winning concessions. They secured guarantees, including a framework for reining in bullying management and for improving workloads. The ballot for strike action remains live if further action is needed.
Why not click here to join the Socialist Party, or click here to donate to the Socialist Party.
In The Socialist 14 December 2011:
Socialist Party feature
Tories speak for the rich - not for us
Socialist Party news and analysis
Unacceptable! Draconian sentences for Dundee 'Facebook riot' teenagers
No progress at climate conference
Why I joined the Socialist Party
Socialist Party editorial
Stand up to the Con-Dem government
Socialist Party reviews
Inside Job: Capitalism is a failed system: support the socialist fightback
TV review: Britain's great housing scandal exposed
Socialist Party workplace news
All out now to stop the sites!
Pensioners and workers - united fight needed
Occupy London tours Canary Wharf
Public sector pensions - where now?
International socialist news and analysis
"Putin is a thief", "Putin is a thief"
Kazakhstan - 20 years of authoritarianism!
Readers' Comments
Attacks on Tupe rights hit hard
Building bosses and their blacklist
Home | The Socialist 14 December 2011 | Join the Socialist Party
Join us today!
Printable version
email to friend
