15 schools fight over sickness policy
National Education Union (NEU) members in 15 schools across Enfield, north London, took part in a day of coordinated strike action over a punitive new sickness policy. The policy was first imposed by the Labour council but has been continued by the new minority Tory administration.
Reps and members at Carterhatch Junior School were enthused that, since the last day of action in April, several academy schools have reverted to the old policy. They took this as a sign that the action is having an effect, and are hopeful that more school managers will back down, which will put more pressure on the council to back down too. The lead rep at Carterhatch Juniors expressed pride that, as a result of the strike action, new members have joined the union, including two support staff frustrated that Unison had not balloted.
Picketers at Capel Manor stressed the ongoing funding crisis in schools that will be exacerbated by the partially unfunded pay rise recently announced, and expressed determination to fight for the full funding needed.
Bea Gardner
And one against academisation
Staff at St Ignatius College – a Catholic school in Enfield – took six days of strike action over two weeks. The NEU opposes the school becoming an academy and part of a chain. The workers know that academisation is a threat to union-won agreements on terms and conditions. Office staff face job cuts if academisation goes through. And it will mean higher pay for senior leadership.
Whether or not the NEU succeeds in stopping academisation, staff are determined to defend their terms and conditions, including a guarantee of no redundancies for the next two years at least. 30 striking workers were on the picket line.
The strikers had a message for parents: “In the short term, there will be some disruption – and we are truly sorry. But in the long run, we are fighting for a better school for your child.”
Ian Pattison
