Teachers’ strike hits Rochdale schools

Hundreds of teachers across the borough of Rochdale are on strike today (Thursday 30 June) over objections to planned changes to pensions.

A total of 33 schools are closed, whilst there are partial closures  at a further 36 schools.

There are just 22 schools open.

The teachers are members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and have walked out over a row regarding proposed changes to pensions which they say will see them having to pay more, receive less and retire later.

It is the first national strike in the ATL’s 127-year history. Turnout in its ballot was 35 per cent with 83 per cent of those in favour. Results from the NUT’s ballot showed 92 per cent of members were in favour on a turnout of 40 per cent.

Secretary of the Rochdale Branch of the ATL, Mark Baker spoke to Rochdale Online ahead of the action last week. He said: “We have never been on strike before and this union has been going for 127 years, I think the fact that our members are so angry with what the government is doing sends a message in itself."

Mr Baker attended the rally at the Castlefield Arena in Manchester today. He said: “I was quite surprised at how many people were there.

“The Castlefield Arena was full. It was a good turn out.

“For a non striking union this is very significant.

“We really think the government needs to sit down and negotiate genuinely – that’s what we are striking for.

“We want the government to comment to genuine negotiations.”

Mr Baker said he “desperately hopes” that there won’t be any further strikes.

The walk out means Falinge Park High School’s annual sponsored walk has been cancelled. In a letter to parents head teacher Robin Lonsdale, said: “We have undertaken a risk assessment for the school and it is proposed to close the school for pupils on Thursday 30 June 2011.

“The school will re-open to pupils on Friday 1 July 2011.

“Please rest assured that the school regrets the disruption of our Annual Sponsored Walk which was to have taken part on this day.”

A message on St Cuthbert’s High School website read: “Owing to strike action by some teachers, the school is closed to pupils on Thursday 30 June 2011. The school reopens to pupils on Friday 1 July 2011.” 

A similar message was posted on Mathew Moss High School’s website, it read: “The school has received notification from the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) of industrial action to be undertaken on Thursday 30 June 2011.

“A significant number of teaching staff within the school are members of these unions and have indicated that they intend to take strike action.

“We have undertaken a risk assessment for the school and it is proposed to close the school for pupils on Thursday 30 June 2011. The school will re-open to pupils on Friday 1 July 2011.”

To view the closures visit: http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/education_and_learning/schools_and_colleges/
school_closures.aspx