Bristol NEU Confirms New Strike Dates Affecting Cathedral Schools Trust
Tom Bolton, branch secretary of Bristol NEU, stated that the Cathedral Schools Trust owes staff a “significant amount of money” and called the situation an “injustice.”
Industrial action across 12 schools is scheduled for 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, and 20th November. The strikes stem from an unresolved dispute over back pay and are supported by both UNISON and Bristol NEU.
What is back pay?
According to Sage is the difference between the amount of money an employee has been paid and the amount they are entitled to receive. This is paid on top of the usual wage. This is usually negotiated between the school and the staff. Rising cost of living and inflation are a major problem for low paid staff.
Tom emphasized: “Cathedral Schools Trust needs to come up with a serious offer to rectify this injustice.”
He added that some staff have been denied five months of back pay, describing the amount as “significant” for support staff, who already face tough, low-paid conditions.
Juxtaposed Views
On Tuesday, ahead of the strikes on 5th and 6th November, many parents at St Katherine’s School expressed concern.
Dawn, a single mum understands the motivations for striking, however because of the school closures, she says she will ’lose money after taking time off work because I’ve got no childcare’. However, she ‘worked in education so can understand where they’re coming from’. ‘It’s putting a lot more pressure on families that are already under a lot of pressure.
Tess, whose child has special educational needs, explained: it’s about weighing ‘pros and cons’. The school sent work for home during the strike days, however she says it’s ‘challenging’.
While NEU claims many parents support the strikes at picket lines, others worry about the impact on education. Tilisa, at St Katherine’s, said: ‘why should the schools close? I care about the children’. ‘Teachers get paid a good amount of money; the children are the future’.
At the picket lines on Wednesday at College square on Wednesday, Tom Renhard, who leads the Labour group on the council, said he was “putting pressure on the Trust” – and standing for the “lowest paid workers getting a fair days’ pay for a fair days’ work. While senior members of the trust on a million pounds a year between them”. When I challenged Tom about parents’ concerns, he said that it is in the interests of parents for staff to be paid properly, less turnover and a net benefit that staff are paid fairly.
Kathleen, a staff member added: ‘Out here striking to support the support staff to receive the pay that they deserve’
Support worker Jenny said: ‘none of us are comfortable with closing the school, our lives are dedicated to supporting young people.’
Tense Atmosphere
On Thursday, the partially opened Cathedral Choir School had a tense atmosphere. Gates were installed on the road, with wardens overseeing entry. Parents quickly ferried their children away.
Cathedral Schools Trust were contacted by telephone, however they have yet to respond. A generic explanation has been provided.
‘As you will understand, the scale of the strike action means we need to make
changes to our educational provision on these specific dates. We have a
significant number of support staff in the NEU and Unison and it is very likely that
they will be taking strike action. In addition, we may have staff who do not wish to
cross the picket line, including teachers.’
‘We understand that you may be frustrated about the disruption to your child’s
education. There will be different points of view across our school community and
please be reassured that none of our staff have taken this action lightly’.
We recommend you check the following sites for up-to-date information:
Bristol District (NEU Bristol)