While Hastings is not in our Trades Council area, a number of members live in Eastbourne- and the actions of East Sussex County Council in this saga do not bode well for trade unionists in Eastbourne schools ! While only NUT are taking tomorrow's action, all of the TUC-affiliated unions in the school (NASUWT, ATL, UNISON and GMB) are firmly opposed to Academy status, and the way that East Sussex have imposed the ARK chain without any debate or consultation with staff, unions, parents or the local community.
(ARK, incidentally was set up by hedge fund managers, and
run by a board of trustees including fund managers, bankers, the Tory Party
treasurer and a former News International executive.)
The NUT had productive talks with East Sussex County
Council and ARK last week, and were willing to postpone the strike action to
allow for further talks. Under trade union law, this would have required the
employer to request an extension to the negotiation time. EAST SUSSEX
COUNTY COUNCIL REFUSED, ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS, TO TAKE UP THIS
OFFER.
If the county believe that they can call members' bluff over
this, they are sorely mistaken. Members gave a 100% yes vote for action, and
are angry at the intransigence of the County Council.
Messages of solidarity can be sent via Dave Brinson, East Sussex NUT Division Secretary. The campaign has a website where these will be displayed alongside
other information about the dispute. View the site here.
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