Teachers at St Benedict’s School in Ealing who are members of NASUWT, the teachers’ union have gone on strike today (19 June 2024) over what the union says is plans to make them choose between their pension or pay.
The strike, at the independent Catholic school for 3-18 year-olds, is the first of eight planned over the issue.
NASUWT says St Benedict’s is seeking to take staff out of the teachers’ pension scheme (TPS) and sign them up to another scheme which offers less in retirement. If teachers wish to stay in the existing TPS, they must accept a pay cut to remain in it.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary said: “These unjustified plans are an attack on the financial security of hard-working teachers. The school is attempting to force them to choose between being left worse off in retirement or worse off now.”
Dr Roach added: “The employer has not provided any solid evidence that there is any financial necessity to undermine teachers’ future financial security in this way. The employer must withdraw these proposals and work with us so that further strike action can be avoided.”
Ruth Duncan, NASUWT national executive member for North West London said: “We have made every effort to engage positively in talks with the employer, however we do not accept that it is beyond their means to maintain teachers in the TPS or that there is any compelling financial justification for these attacks on teachers’ terms and conditions.”
He added: “Our members are not willing to stand by and allow their pensions to be eroded. Further strike action will be unavoidable unless the employer recognises its actions are untenable.”
In a statement, Mary Edis, chair of St Benedict’s board of governors said: “We acutely recognise the depth of feeling on the outcome of an understandingly very difficult but very essential year-long consultation regarding the teachers’ pension scheme.
“Our consultation has followed a mandatory increase in the costs of employer contributions to 28.68%, a cost which is sadly financially unsustainable for the future at St Benedict’s. The latest increase follows rises from 16.48% to 23.68% in the last five years and a further rise to 28.68% in April 2024.
“Unlike maintained schools, in which these increases are funded by the Government, independent schools such as St Benedict’s have to meet the costs themselves. We have brought in an option for staff to stay in the TPS, should they wish, with a necessary salary reduction, or to choose an enhanced defined contribution scheme, which includes three options within it.
“We consider the options provide fair and sustainable pension provision for our highly-valued teaching staff, as well as flexibility.”
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