Members of NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union at Windermere School in the Lake District will take strike action on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 May over forced changes to their contracts.

The changes demand that they are moved to an inferior pension scheme – whether they consent, or are fired and rehired on a new contract offering only the inferior scheme – and could leave them significantly worse off in retirement than teachers in the standard Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
 
The employer has so far refused to engage in negotiations with NASUWT or ACAS conciliation talks. Further days of strike action are planned for 5 and 6 June if a resolution cannot be found.
 
NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach will join striking teachers on the picket line from 07:30 – 08:45 on Thursday and will be available to speak with press and media.
 
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:
 
“Teachers at Windermere School have done nothing wrong, yet their employer is forcing them to move to a substandard contract – or face dismissal if they refuse.
 
“These hardworking teachers have every right to expect that they remain enrolled on the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. They should not be asked to accept a lower pension income than other teachers so that their employer can save money.
 
“It is cruel to gaslight teachers into believing that they must bear the brunt of cost-saving exercises in schools. NASUWT will stand strong with members at Windermere School as they defend their right to a fair contract and a fair pension.”
 
Karen Brocklebank, NASUWT Executive Member for Cumbria, said:
 
“No teacher wants to enter into an industrial dispute with their employer. Our members have been backed into a corner with no way out but to challenge these preposterous contract changes.
 
“In the midst of a recruitment and retention crisis, employers should be mindful that they are attractive to teachers. To deliberately worsen teachers’ working conditions is short-sighted and arrogant.”