Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Merchant Taylors’ Schools in Liverpool (Merchant Taylors’ Senior Boys and Girls and Stanfield Preparatory School) will be taking the first of five planned days of strike action on Wednesday over teachers’ pay.

Members have been given only a 1.14% pay award for the current academic year, in comparison to the 5.5% rise awarded to teachers in the state sector.

Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:

“Teachers at Merchant Taylors are being expected to do the same job as colleagues in the state sector for far less. At a time when the cost of everyday living remains high, a 1.14% pay award equates to a real-terms pay cut.

“We have exhausted all avenues, including convening talks through ACAS, to try to find a resolution to this dispute, but the employer has refused to come forward with any alternative proposals on pay. We have therefore been left with no option but to move to strike action.

“The employer can avoid further disruption by agreeing to work with us to ensure teachers have the terms and conditions necessary to maintain high standards of education provision for pupils at Merchant Taylors’ Schools.”
 
Bryan McConnell, NASUWT National Executive Member for Merseyside and Cheshire, said:
 
“Merchant Taylors is failing to invest in or respect its teaching staff, who should be recognised as its most important asset.

“Teachers are being expected to absorb a real-terms pay cut at a time when merger and redundancy plans threaten to increase workload and pressure.

“The employer has failed to listen to the concerns of its staff or to our attempts to resolve this dispute.

“Teachers have had enough and feel there is no other course of action than to strike in order to stand up for their right to decent and fair pay and conditions.”