There was a constant honking of support for the picket line from passing motorists, as National Education Union (NEU) members at Benson primary school in the deprived Birmingham district of Hockley embarked on seven days of strike action.
The members are striking over bullying, unreasonable workloads, and a lack of consultation on changes. The school is one of the dwindling number of schools directly managed by Birmingham City Council. There is a clear link between the Labour council’s refusal to fight local authority cuts and its contemptuous treatment of these teachers and teaching assistants.
The union reported its concerns to the council in both the spring and summer terms and there has been no real improvement in the situation. Staff turnover is high because of these problems and the pupils will not get the standard of education they deserve until these problems are resolved.
Some parents stood on the picket line with their children. Further strikes are planned until the Christmas break if there is no progress.
Clive Walder, Birmingham South Socialist Party
