A formal strike 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).
95% of NEU teacher members voted in favour of strike
action, on a turnout of 84%. This was a single ballot
covering all 23 independent schools in the Trust. (1)
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 seen a steady decline in their standard of living
over several years with pay increases below inflation, including
a pay freeze last academic year. If they were to lose the
Teachers’ Pension Scheme as well, their pay and remuneration
would be significantly worse than local state schools.
Financial accounts for the Trust, in the public domain, show
Trust finances in good health. There is a healthy annual cash
surplus. The Teachers’ Pension Scheme, which is a contractual
right of GDST teachers, is affordable.
However, the Trust wish to spend heavily on capital expenditure
at the expense to their teachers and leaders.
Staff are also angry that their employer has threatened them with
a policy of 'fire and rehire' to drive these changes through.
(2)
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National
Education Union, said:
"We call on the Council of the Girls' Day School Trust to
withdraw the proposal to leave the Teachers’ Pension
Scheme.
"This is an exceptionally strong mandate. 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 withdraw the proposal to leave the Teachers’ Pension
Scheme."
Editor's Note
(1)
The formal postal ballot ran from 10 to 26 January 2022. The
question put was:
"Are you prepared to take part in sustained and discontinuous
strike action in furtherance of this dispute?
"Change to conditions of service [withdrawal from the Teachers’
Pension Scheme and/or variation to pension provision]."
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.
GDST also owns two former independent schools which became
academies. They have separate legal status and do not have the
option of leaving the TPS, so their teaching staff are not part
of this ballot.
(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."
