National Education Union members are on strike again today in their ongoing dispute with the Girls Day School Trust, which is seeking to cut teachers’ pensions by twenty per cent, on average.
These teachers deserve full support. It is the first strike in the 149-year history of the trust, and has been caused by GDST’s decision to pull out of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
Twenty-three schools are affected by the strike and around 1,500 teachers are reported to be taking action. The trust has dug-in and has said it will not reverse the decision to withdraw from the scheme. In a statement, the joint-General Secretary of the NEU Mary Bousted has said this week:
“It is very disappointing that the Girls’ Day School Trust has not reversed their decision to withdraw from the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS). If they were really listening to the strength of feeling from their staff, they would realise that short term financial sweeteners offer no compensation for the long-term security of the TPS. There is no financial imperative for GDST to insist on removing staff from the TPS next year. The National Education Union will of course enter the negotiations with GDST which we have been asking for. However, this offer gives our members no reassurance that the TPS will remain in place and the strike action will go ahead this week.”
GDST’s teachers are in the unusual position of being teachers on strike who work at independent schools. But whilst this is unusual, it makes no difference to the necessity of supporting their case. One, on the merits of their case – trade unionists in dispute with an employer over an attack on their pay, terms and conditions, including pensions, deserve support.
Secondly, pensions are proving over and again to be a flashpoint, as the UCU’s disputes in higher education have shown. Pushing back against attacks on pension rights is of assistance to everyone affected by this problem.
And finally, the teaching profession is embroiled in a series of campaigns including over pay, and in the context of the covid pandemic. Practical solidarity with the teachers affected by the GDST pensions dispute sends a signal to teachers in other battles that they will also receive support.
Support the teachers’ pension strike by:
signing and sharing this statement of support
joining NEU members rallying in support of the GDST teachers in Parliament Square, today – 1230 for a 1300 start