Jon Dale, Mansfield Socialist Party
Teachers at 14 Outwood Grange Academy Trust (OGAT) schools have defeated their employers’ attempt to impose an extra 30 minutes on the working day. Teachers said this was unacceptable.
School breaks are already too short – just 15 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at lunch, often not enough to get to the toilet and get something to eat. With many teachers working over 55 hours a week, an extra 170 hours over the year would be the last straw.
Starting with a one-day strike, building up to three-day strikes, and with a four-day strike planned, OGAT came up with a new offer.
Jenny Cadman, National Education Union (NEU) rep at Outwood Valley school, Worksop, North Notts, said: “Originally, they wanted to extend our day by 30 minutes all on teaching, leaving us just five hours spare off the maximum hours that can be directed.
“We settled for a 15-minute extension to our day The students have a longer day by 20 minutes but will get ten minutes more break. The Trust have pledged money for equipment such as outdoor table tennis tables.
“We now have a workload reduction Joint Consultative Committee. We know that if we fight, we win, and that people are prepared to stand on picket lines.
“The NEU has gained membership and strength. Portland in Worksop had no reps at the start of the dispute and now have two. I’ve just recruited another rep. NEU gained 17 members at the two Worksop schools and are hoping to gain more members.
“We definitely now have strength in unity and are already planning to deal with some current school issues, including ridiculously hot classrooms.”
Academies should be brought back under democratic control instead of being run by over-paid chief executives as though they were profit-making businesses. Big contracts handed out to profiteering companies need investigating. The financial books should be opened to trade union scrutiny.
The deal was accepted by 57% on 82% turnout.
Teachers’ union NASUWT supported the second and third week of the strikes, but not the first or last
