London Teachers to Strike Over Maternity Pay Demands

Strategic Insights -

Hundreds of teachers at a group of academies in south London are set to join industrial action by the National Education Union (NEU) in the last weeks of term, with parents given just four days' notice. The strikes have been organised over demands for a higher maternity pay, which could see the highest-paid teachers receive up to £5,000 each. The Charter Schools, a group of nine schools with over 4,500 pupils, will strike on Friday and again on July 15, 16, and 17, with some activities, including a sports day and art gallery field trip, cancelled as a result.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hundreds of teachers at the Charter Schools in south London are set to join NEU industrial action over maternity pay demands.
  • The strikes will take place on Friday and July 15, 16, and 17, affecting over 4,500 pupils.
  • The NEU is demanding an increase to teachers' maternity pay that could be worth up to £5,000 each for the highest-paid teachers.
  • The Charter Schools have agreed to three of the four NEU demands, but are unable to meet the maternity pay demand due to financial constraints.
  • The proposed increase to maternity pay would see the highest-paid inner London teachers receive £27,886, up from the current £23,023.
  • This would be an increase of £4,863 for the highest-paid teachers, making it the union's third demand, along with decoupling pay rises from performance and recognizing teachers' union membership.
  • Daniel Kebede, the general secretary of the NEU, has accused the trust of operating a "two-tier maternity policy", stating that the trust's decision not to offer any increase in maternity pay was "deeply regrettable".
  • The strike has been organised by the NEU's Southwark branch District Secretary, Freddy Vanson, who has been seen wearing a keffiyeh and holding a red bandana at a pro-Palestinian rally.
  • The Charter Schools have stated that they are already paying staff over 30% more than the national agreement for maternity pay and cannot afford to increase this further.

Statistics:

  • 4,500: The number of pupils affected by the strikes.
  • 9: The number of schools affected by the strikes, all part of the Charter Schools group.
  • 32%: The current premium for teachers' maternity pay, which the NEU is demanding be increased to 58%.
  • £5,000: The proposed increase to maternity pay for the highest-paid teachers, an additional £4,863 to their current £23,023 pay.
  • £17,588: The minimum rate of maternity pay under the nationwide NEU agreement known as the Burgundy Book.
  • £27,886: The proposed increase to maternity pay for the highest-paid inner London teachers, making it the union's third demand.
  • £4,863: The increase in maternity pay for the highest-paid teachers, making it the union's third demand.

Sources:

  • Byline: Tim Sigsworth
  • The Telegraph
  • National Education Union (NEU)
  • Charter Schools
  • Freddy Vanson, District Secretary for the NEU's Southwark branch
  • Jonathan Slater, Chairman of Trustees at Charter Schools
  • Cassie Buchanan, Charter Schools' Chief Executive
  • Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the NEU