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Teachers at a Halliwell primary school have suspended strike days planned for the coming days after "constructive" talks with management. Staff at St Matthew's CE Primary School in Halliwell started the strike last month in a dispute over the school's management and working conditions. All National Education Union (NEU) members at the school who were balloted voted in favour of the strike.
Members said that "performance-related pay" and what they claimed was "poor management culture" were among the reasons behind the action. Teachers first picketed on March 19 , with further strikes planned for March 25 and 26, before they were called off to give management the chance to negotiate. Teachers at the strike on April 2 (Image: Newsquest) Members postponed the strike to allow governors and the local authority to meet with them to address their concerns.
However, NEU members said that they declined to do so and went on strike again for three consecutive days at the start of this month from April 1 to 3. Further strike days were planned for April 30 and May 1, but these have now been suspended – "as an act of good faith". Have a story? Get in touch at eoin.
[email protected] NEU members at the school met with governors and local representatives on Thursday (April 24) to try and resolve the dispute.
A spokesperson for the union said: "Members were pleased that talks were constructive and have hopefully moved the school forward." They said that they are waiting for a "written record" to fully resolve the dispute "based on the verbal assurances that were offered by the employer". A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “We welcome the decision by staff to suspend strike action following productive talks.
“The council is optimistic that issues will be fully resolved to avoid any further action.” “We continue to support the school and governors as St Matthews moves forward.” READ MORE: Bolton Muslim Girls School is good with outstanding features - Ofsted READ MORE: Bolton schools: Police issue guidance on how park near schools READ MORE: St Peter's Farnworth and Bright Leaders nominated for awards Roz Morton, NEU regional officer, said: "NEU members would only ever take strike action as a last resort, and in the case of staff at St Matthew’s, this was an action that followed many other attempts to resolve the issues around management culture that had blighted their professional lives and begun to take a toll outside of the school gates too.
"Our members felt strongly that their voices had been ignored. "They wanted the chance to communicate with decision makers about the impact on them and their desire for positive change to move the school forward in the interests of the pupils they care so deeply about; that’s why this meeting was so significant as a step towards resolving the dispute. "They very much welcomed the verbal assurances heard in the meeting from the Chair of Governors and now look forward to seeing those assurances in writing to formally consider the dispute resolved.
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