MANCHESTER TEACHERS TAKE STRIKE ACTION

MANCHESTER TEACHERS TAKE STRIKE ACTION

Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Co-op Academy Manchester will be starting a programme of five days of strike action commencing tomorrow (Tuesday) over adverse management practices which are affecting teachers’ pay, performance management, workload and working conditions.

Members at the school are being denied their entitlements on pay and are being subjected to excessive workload and inappropriate practices on classroom observation and performance management which are undermining their morale, wellbeing and professionalism. 

Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:

“It is deeply disappointing that the Co-op Academy has chosen to adopt policies and practices which have been rejected for good reasons by many other employers.

“The NASUWT has been seeking to work with the Employer to address the concerns of our members, but despite our efforts the employer has responded with intransigence, threats and intimidation.

“We would expect better from any employer, particularly a Co-operative Schools employer. Teachers have a right to be treated as professionals, listened to, consulted and to have acceptable pay and working conditions.

“Regrettably, teachers have been left with no choice but to take strike action.

“We are calling on the Co-op Academy Manchester to recognise the seriousness of the concerns of NASUWT members. The NASUWT stands ready to engage in constructive dialogue with the employer to avoid further disruption and to resolve this dispute.”

Jac Casson, NASUWT National Executive Member for Manchester, said:

“That an Employer that espouses co-operative values is choosing to act with so little respect for their staff is particularly disappointing.

“The NASUWT has always been a supporter of cooperative solutions in schools.

“However, the Employer now needs to live up to the values of the Cooperative Society and agree to work with us to ensure that staff can have the decent working conditions they are entitled to and which will help them to continue to provide the highest quality of education for pupils.”