Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and National Association of Schoolmasters / Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) took strike action to protest against the management’s failure to support staff in dealing with challenging pupil behaviour.

The dispute is supported by members of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and the support staff’s union, UNISON.

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said;
"While strike action is always a last resort, there has to be good discipline in schools. It is the responsibility of management to ensure that the proper procedures are in place to deal with any issues that may arise".

Simon Jones, National Executive Member for the NUT, said:
"Staff and unions have been raising concerns for the last two terms but the Head has rejected repeated requests for earlier meetings to try to resolve this dispute informally. Negotiations are due to resume after the Easter holidays and it is hoped that further strike action can be avoided provided the Governors take the necessary steps to ensure teachers have the support they need to manage pupil behaviour effectively".

For the full press release go here.

NUT members in London boroughs of Camden and Tower Hamlets held a one day strike on 30 March in protest at cuts in jobs and education services.

Over 300 people turned out in temperatures of minus 12°C before Christmas to lobby Calderdale Council over changes to employment for centrally employed NUT members. In recent months the ten unions representing staff have been working together to defend jobs and services.

The NUT has won £30,000 for a member after South Yorkshire Police passed inaccurate information about him to prospective employers.

An NUT member in London who suffered years of stress following her suspension over allegations of pushing a pupil, has, with the help of the Union, won her case at an employment tribunal.

NUT members at Chestnut Grove School in Wandsworth went on strike today to protest about being forced to change employer with the subsequent effect on their terms and conditions. The Union had previously met with Governors to express their concern about the School becoming an Academy. The picket line was joined by Kevin Courtney, Deputy General Secretary and Darryl Long, London Regional Officer. The union members believe that the School should remain within the Wandsworth family of schools and should operate under nationally and locally agreed conditions of service.