Teachers at Gable Hall School in Corringham, Essex, are preparing to return to their classrooms after a brief lockout due to a dispute over workload and working practices. The NASUWT union announced that approximately 25 teachers voted to de-escalate their industrial action, allowing for negotiations with the school’s administration.
Key Takeaways
- Teachers at Gable Hall School will return to work on Thursday after a lockout.
- The NASUWT union is seeking negotiations regarding workload issues.
- Further industrial action may occur in January if disputes are not resolved.
- The Ortu Federation, which oversees the school, has been asked to respond to the situation.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict began when teachers at Gable Hall School decided to take industrial action short of a strike, primarily due to concerns over excessive workloads and working conditions. The NASUWT union indicated that the teachers were locked out on December 11 after they refused to comply with certain tasks mandated by the Ortu Federation, which operates the school.
The Ortu Federation had requested that staff fulfill their contractual obligations of 1,265 hours per academic year, as outlined in the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document that took effect on November 3, 2023. In response to the teachers' refusal to comply, the federation decided to lock them out, stating that they would not be paid until they agreed to meet their contractual obligations.
Union's Response
In a bid to mitigate the impact on students, the NASUWT union decided to allow teachers to return to classrooms. Union representatives emphasized the importance of maintaining educational continuity and ensuring that planned trips and activities could proceed without disruption.
Patrick Roach, the general secretary of NASUWT, expressed readiness to engage in negotiations, stating that the lockout was detrimental to students' education. He highlighted the union's commitment to resolving the issues amicably and urged the school administration to engage in constructive dialogue.
Support Staff Concerns
In addition to the teachers' situation, the GMB union has raised concerns regarding potential job cuts affecting support staff at Gable Hall School and Hassenbrook Academy, another institution under the Ortu Federation. The GMB union reported gathering around 700 signatures opposing the loss of 30 support staff positions, which they claim are necessary for the well-being and safety of students, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Jasmin Deans, a regional organizer for GMB, expressed deep concern over the potential impact on students who rely on support staff for assistance. The union attributed the proposed cuts to a reported £1.2 million accounting error, prompting calls for transparency and accountability from the Ortu Federation.
Future Outlook
As the situation unfolds, the Ortu Federation is expected to respond to the teachers' return and the concerns raised by the GMB union. The federation is also in the process of transitioning to the Mossbourne Federation, which may bring further changes to the operational structure of the schools involved.
The NASUWT has warned that if negotiations do not yield satisfactory results, further industrial action could be on the horizon in January, indicating that the dispute over workload and working conditions is far from resolved. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of both teaching staff and support personnel at Gable Hall School and its affiliated institutions.
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