Woodfield strikers vote unanimously for a legal challenge to academy bosses

 

Woodfield school strikers early morning picket in Autumn sunshine today

Woodfield Special school strikers, victims of the imposition of  fire and rehire by their academy bosses, showed they were not finished in their battle today by voting unanimously for a change of strategy.

They will strike for the last time for now on October 1st, the last strike day notified to the management, and take up a legal challenge supported by the National Education Union. This will be based on a claim that the academy management broke the collective bargaining agreement, not in imposing fire and rehire itself, but the way they did it individually rather than through collective bargaining. Each worker will be submitting an ACAS Early Conciliation form.

 

Lucy Cox, Brent NEU Secretary, said that in this way they could return to work proud and united.  She congratulated the strikers on their persistence and solidarity and told them that their struggle provided an example to others that  meant that no other school had dared impose fire and rehire - a strategy that will soon be illegal.

Meanwhile I understand that the HMRC is showing a keen interest in the school's finances. 

Lyon Park support staff approve a settlement after strikes and intensive negotiations

 

Following talks involving the school and Brent Council and a final round of discussions with ACAS, the conciliation service,  staff at Lyon Park have accepted a settlement of the dispute.

The settlement covers the issues at dispute after the school management proposed a restructuring that cut pay, hours and jobs and worsened conditions of service.

Jenny Cooper, co-secretary of Brent National Education Union said: 

98% voted to accept the new, much improved offer, which was offered purely because of members determined strike action

A victory for the union.

Picket lines at the school were joined by Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent North, Daniel Kebede the new General Secretary of the NEU, Brent Trades Council representatives, retired teachers and many others.

Other Brent schools are faced with deficit budgets, and some have dug into reserves in order to balance their budgets. Restructures are taking place across the borough and this dispute has set a precedent for solidarity action that may be needed in other disputes,