Teachers to strike at Essex school

TEACHERS at an Essex primary school will hold a one-day strike over a dispute about salary protection.

Ten staff at Hamford Primary School in Walton-on-the-Naze will walk out for a day and more strikes have been promised if the row is not resolved.

All the striking teachers are members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and agreed to the action in an official ballot.

The all-day walkout will take place on Wednesday and a second day of action is being planned for the New Year.

NUT spokesman Jerry Glazier said last night that the dispute centred around a new management structure ordered by the Government which all schools had to comply with.

This had to be in place by January 2009 and could mean some staff having their posts downgraded.

While most schools had assured affected staff that their salaries would be protected, Hamford had failed to do so, he said.

Mr Glazier said: “The NUT is committed to protecting members' pay and conditions.

“It is most regrettable that the governors have agreed, in a primary school of this size, a new management structure, cutting by two thirds the number of posts with responsibilities.

“Additionally governors have failed to fairly compensate for future significant pay loss for staff.”

He added the staff were “extremely cross at how they had been treated.”

“There will be further action in January on a date to be agreed before Christmas,” he said.

In a letter to parents, the striking staff members said they were taking the action with “great regret.”

They claimed an appeal for a meeting with governors to discuss the issue had been rejected.

“We ask for your understanding and support while we strive to achieve what we believe is right for your child's school,” the letter concluded.

No-one at the school could be reached for comment last night.