Paul Couchman, Surrey Socialist Party
National Education Union (NEU) members set up a well-attended picket line on 21 April at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School in Reigate, Surrey. It was the first of six days of strikes due to a dispute with the school governors over a comprehensive restructure announcement with big effects for teachers and support staff.
I brought a message of solidarity from Surrey County Unison, the West Surrey Trades Council, and the National Shop Stewards Network.
The school was founded over 200 years ago and this is believed to be the first time teachers have taken strike action here. It is one of 32 state boarding schools in the UK.
NEU members are striking over several issues, including up to 12 redundancies, and the removal of pensionable allowances that amount to thousands of pounds in some cases. The governors also propose imposing market rents on resident staff.
The proposals stand to cost scores of members significant losses to pay and pensions. Members voted 90% in favour of strike action on a 89% turnout.
The strike is also for union recognition. This is the only state-funded school in Surrey that the NEU is aware of that does not recognise the union.
NEU activists said: “The proposed changes will be damaging to the provision of the excellent standard of education and pastoral care that is offered at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School”.
“Members have engaged in good faith with management in the consultation process to try to resolve this issue without the need for industrial action. We don’t engage in this action lightly, but it has become clear that industrial action is our only option in this situation.”
- Further strikes are planned on 29-30 April and 5-7 May.
