‘SERIOUSLY concerned’ staff at a group of schools in Coventry began a series of strikes today (Thursday January 9).
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) and NASUWT who work for the Coventry School Foundation (CSF) are taking a total of nine days of strike action this month.
The strikes will affect Bablake Primary and Secondary Schools, King Henry VIII primary and secondary schools, and all associated infant and prep schools.
The union members are in dispute with CSF over what they claim is the ‘removal of all teacher members from the Teachers Pension Scheme’, an ‘effective 12 per cent pay cut for all teachers as a result of reduced pension contributions’, and the ‘threat to fire and rehire teaching staff’.
Christopher Denson, National Executive Member of the NEU, said: “We are seriously concerned about the education provision in the CSF schools, as such a damaging proposal will make retention of teachers and recruitment of new teachers very difficult.
“We firmly believe that the proposed measures are unfair.
“There is a bloated management structure, with exorbitant salaries at the top of the organisation, which are not proposed for change.
“Parents are being asked to pay higher fees and teachers face an attack on their pensions.
“The use of ‘fire and rehire’ is a disgraceful practice, that only the very worst employers use. The government are seeking to bring legislation to outlaw the practice as we speak.”
In response, CSF said it had offered teaching staff a deal which would give them a ‘very competitive’ 18.75 per cent of salary employer’s contribution to their pension – but it was turned down in favour of strike action.
A spokesperson said the Foundation was making changes to its pension scheme because the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) had become ‘unaffordable’, with employer contributions rising from 16 to 28 per cent in the space of five years.
They added the Foundation was also having to absorb an increase in employer’s National Insurance contributions, the removal of business rates relief, and a reduction in fees to help parents with the imposition of VAT.
Chris Staley, CEO & Principal of CSF, said: “This combination of extraordinary economic factors is affecting schools across the independent sector, because they have to pay pensions out of fee income paid by parents.
“State schools are not facing the same challenges and can continue with contributions at 28 per cent of salary, because their payments are funded by the taxpayer.
“In the light of these rising costs we have had to take responsible decisions to ensure the financial viability of our schools.
“We entirely sympathise with staff feelings, but we think our very competitive 18.75 per cent offer demonstrates how much we value our teachers and is fair in the circumstances.”
CSF has offered the unions a choice of two pension package options, one of which enables staff to remain in the TPS at a revised contribution rate.
Mr Staley added: “We will continue talking to the unions and hope to reach a negotiated resolution. But it is simply not possible to keep contributions as they stand, and we reserve the right as an employer to use appropriate processes to move to the new terms so that the Foundation remains financially sustainable.
“Our absolute priority is our pupils and their families. The school will remain open to the majority of pupils during the strike, and we will ensure that no pupil misses out on any lesson content.”
Further strikes are scheduled to take place on January 14, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30.
