Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at St Mary’s School in Ascot are taking the first of six further days of strike action today over attempts to downgrade their pensions. This follows an initial day of strike action in March.
 
Teachers are facing the forcible withdrawal of their pensions from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) to an inferior Defined Contribution (DC) scheme, which will pay out less in retirement.

Teachers have been told that if they do not accept the transfer of their pensions, they will be dismissed from their jobs and reengaged on new contracts which include the DC pension arrangements.
  
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:
 
“We have made every effort to work with the employer to resolve this dispute, including offering to suspend strike action for mediated and negotiated resolution through ACAS. However, the employer has not committed to these talks.
 
“We have put forward a number of cost-neutral suggestions to the employer to enable teachers to remain in the TPS, but these have been rejected.

“We remain committed to finding a resolution to the dispute, but our members are extremely disappointed that the employer has rejected any proposals we have put forward.

“The employer needs now to engage seriously to agree a way forward to end this dispute in the interests of the staff and pupils at St Mary’s.”