An indicative ballot of National Education Union teacher members
working in the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST)'s independent
schools has shown overwhelming opposition to the employer's plan
to withdraw from the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS).
93% of members voted in favour of moving to a strike ballot, on a
turnout of 93%. (1)
The union will now move to a formal strike ballot to be conducted
in January 2022. Potential dates for discontinuous strike action
are still to be decided. These would constitute the
first days of strike action in the Trust's entire 149-year
history.
Under the proposal to leave the TPS, teachers will be at least
20% worse off on average in terms of the annual amount they
receive in pension payments. Teachers have already reluctantly
accepted a pay freeze this year and seen their standard of living
fall over several years with pay increases below inflation.
Staff are also angry that their employer has threatened them with
a policy of 'fire and rehire' to drive these changes through.
(2)
Financial accounts for the Trust, in the public domain, show
Trust finances in good health. There is no justification for
withdrawal from the TPS, and so far the employer has
failed to provide a compelling argument in defence of their
plan.
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education
Union, said:
"This is a clear and emphatic message to the Girls' Day School
Trust. It should leave the employer in no doubt about the
strength of feeling against this unacceptable attack on teacher
pensions. During the period of the indicative ballot, the
employer has failed to dispel the concerns of our
members.
"This is an exceptionally strong mandate. It makes strike action
look inevitable. The Trust should reflect on just how a large
body of committed and hard-working staff have reached this point.
Members are resolved and rightly determined to defend their
pensions.
"We sincerely hope that strikes can be averted. We call on the
GDST to engage seriously with the National Education
Union and withdraw the proposal to leave the Teachers’
Pension Scheme."
Editor's Note
(1)
The indicative ballot ran from 22 November to 6 December 2021.
The question put was:
"Are you prepared to take part in sustained and discontinuous
strike action in furtherance of this dispute?
"Employer’s proposal to withdraw from the Teachers’ Pension
Scheme."
GDST own 23 independent girls’ schools across England and
Wales. 71% of its teaching staff are members of the NEU, as
of December 2021. Only teachers were eligible to vote
in the indicative ballot. The NEU also represents staff at GDST
working in other capacities.
(2) Notice under Section 188, Trade Union, and Labour
Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 was given to the NEU even
before a word was exchanged in consultation. In a letter to the
NEU dated 22 September, the GDST wrote (our italics):
"As you will be aware, the GDST is required to provide further
information concerning the consultation, and in particular about
the proposed change to terms and conditions of employment. Under
section 188 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations
(Consolidation) Act 1992, the GDST must consult with the NEU as
the appropriate representatives of the affected
employees.
"We hope the proposal to vary terms and conditions can be agreed
through the collective consultation process with the
NEU. However, where agreement cannot be reached during the
consultation and the GDST changes an employee's terms and
conditions by issuing contractual notice and re-engaging affected
employees on the proposed terms of employment, such a proposal
would fall under section 188 of the above legislation, which
means we have to provide certain prescribed
information.
"However, the GDST very much hopes, through full dialogue, any
variation to terms of employment can be agreed with you."
