Strike action at 23 private schools is now “inevitable” after teachers have shown “overwhelming opposition” to employers’ pension plans, according to the leader of the biggest teachers’ union.
indicative ballot of the National Education Union (NEU) teacher members working in the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) was held in opposition to employers’ plans to withdraw from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS).
The plan to withdraw from the scheme follows a government decision to raise employer contributions to the TPS by a43 per cent increase. The government currently covers the increased costs for state schools, but not the private sector.
Between 22 November 2021 to 6 December 2021, 93 per cent of NEU members at the GDST said they wouldtake part in “sustained and discontinuous” strike action to contend the plans.
As a result, a formal strike ballot will be conducted in January 2022, with potential dates for discontinuous strike action to be decided.
The NEU stated that under the proposal to leave the TPS, teachers would be at least 20 per cent worse off on average in terms of the annual amount they receive in pension payments.
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: “This is a clear and emphatic message to the GDST. It should leave the employer in no doubt about the strength of feeling against this unacceptable attack on teacher pensions.”
Mr Courtney said that during the indicative ballot period, the GDST had “failed to dispel the concerns” of members, adding “it makes strike action look inevitable”.
“We sincerely hope that strikes can be averted. We call on the GDST to engage seriously withthe NEU and withdraw the proposal to leave the TPS.”
The NEU also said: “Staff are also angry that their employer has threatened them with a policy of ‘fire and rehire’ to drive these changes through.
“Financial accounts for the Trust [GDST], in the public domain, show trust finances in good health. There is no justification for withdrawal from the TPS, and sofarthe employer has failed to provide a compelling argument in defence of their plan.”
In March this year, teachers at a private boarding schoolwent on strike for six days to protest their employers’ withdrawalfrom the TPS.
Speaking to91in November, theGirls’ Schools Association (GSA) president warnedthat further increasing employer contributions would be “untenable” for independent schools.
Cheryl Giovannoni, chief executive of theGDST, said:“We can confirm that our teachers have voted in favour of industrial action in an indicative ballot held by the National Education Union.An indicative ballot is an indication of whether teachers would vote in favour of industrial action. This is not the formal vote.
“We understand how strongly our teachers feel about this issue. We very much hope to continue to work with our teachers and our recognised trade union, the NEU, to avoid industrial action. We also continue to discuss our pensions proposals with the NEU, with the aim of coming to an agreement acceptable to our teachers as part of the collective consultation process which runs until the end of January.
“We remain committed to a full and robust consultation. The NEU has referred to a Section 188 letter. This is the legal requirement that gives notice of the start of collective consultation. It is misleading for the NEU to state we have given notice to ‘fire and rehire’, which is by no means the case.
“Teachers are key to the success of the GDST family of schools; we recognise and value their incredible contribution and dedication to the education of the girls in our schools. Our priority continues to be to support our teachers through this process and maintaining an outstanding education for girls in our schools.
“As a charity, the GDST invests all funds into our mission to reach as many girls as possible. Due to the 43% increase in employer contributions in 2019 to the government-run Teachers’ Pension Scheme, meaning an increase in pension costs from £14 million to £20 million, the TPS has become unsustainable for the GDST.
“Our Trustees are proposing an excellent alternative to the TPS, which we know is one of the best on offer in the sector, with a 20% employer contribution into a flexible, defined contribution pension plan alongside other benefits. We have made independent support from pensions experts and actuaries available to our teachers, to help them understand what this might mean for them in the future.
“We remain committed to continuing to work with the NEU and listening to the views of all our teachers. The GDST Trustees will consider all feedback before any final decision is made.”
