Teachers a Hoxton school vote to strike over workload
TEACHERS at a Hoxton primary school have voted unanimously to strike over claims they are being forced to do too much work.
Whitmore Primary School in Bridport Place risks closure next week after a staff ballot showed union members were overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action.
They are unhappy about longer working hours and excessive workloads they say a new headteacher has forced on to them since taking over in September.
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) presented the school with a work-life balance agreement which is used in other schools. It says teachers at the school are currently working more than 50 hours a week.
But Whitmore headteacher Greg Wallace, who is also executive head of Woodberry Down, Mandeville and London Fields primary schools, turned it down.
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All 12 NUT members voted for strike action in the ballot, which closed on Monday. The results mean weekly one-day strikes could begin this coming Monday (March 7).
Mark Lushington, Hackney’s NUT representative, said: “I think we may have to take action very early on, although we are still willing to sit down and negotiate.
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“I do not think any parent would want their children to be looked after by adults who are over stressed and subject to ill health.”
A school spokeswoman said: “Discussions at the school are ongoing and we’re working towards a resolution which will serve the best interests of our pupils.”
