Most EIS teaching union members at a Scottish private school have indicated their willingness to take strike action over a proposal to remove them from the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme (STPS) or be “fired and rehired”.
According to the EIS, Hutchesons’ Grammar School in Glasgow is seeking to forcibly withdraw its teachers from the STPS.
The NASUWT teaching union, which also has members in the school, says the move follows similar attempts by independent schools in England “to downgrade teachers’ pensions”.
It is warning that if Hutchesons’ Grammar is successful, other Scottish private schools will likely follow suit.
Tes Scotland understands that 96 EIS members were balloted at Hutchesons’ Grammar in Glasgow over the school’s plans to remove them from the STPS.
Some 94 per cent of them voted in the indicative ballot; over 80 per cent said they would be willing to take strike action.
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said EIS members at the school did not want to strike but they would be “willing to do so if the school management don’t come to the negotiating table on what amounts to a pretty drastic proposal”.
She added: “We understand the school roll is healthy, finances are healthy, and there is no need for cost cutting, therefore we do not know why the school is seeking to adversely impact teacher pensions - not that this would be an acceptable way of freezing costs in any case.
“EIS members are requesting that the school does not issue notices that contracts will be terminated in August. They do not wish to be ‘re-engaged’ on new contracts with poorer terms and conditions. What worker would?
“So far, management have not indicated any willingness to negotiate on their pensions proposal and associated threat of ‘fire and rehire’, therefore it is likely that EIS members will be left with no other option but to open a statutory ballot for strike action. Members do this with a very heavy heart and in the hope that a resolution to the dispute can be found without industrial action being necessary.”
Ms Bradley added: “Separate negotiations are ongoing with the school for trade union recognition for the EIS and our sister trade unions. If successful, Hutchesons’ would be the first independent school in Scotland to recognise teachers’ right to collectively bargain. Members see this as a positive and progressive step in the school’s history and in keeping with the school’s core values.”
In a statement earlier this month, a spokesperson for Hutchesons’ Grammar said the school’s governors had taken “the difficult decision to propose withdrawal from the STPS” because of increased costs associated with the scheme.
The spokesperson said “a generous defined contribution scheme” had been offered in its place.
The spokesperson added: “The proposal to withdraw from the STPS was not taken lightly and the governors understand the strength of feeling among our teachers. Our governors care deeply about the wellbeing of our teachers and would not have put forward these proposals unless they felt they were absolutely necessary to support the long-term sustainability of the school. The flexibility of the new scheme allows teachers to set their own contribution rate.
“Throughout the consultation process the senior leadership team and governors have listened to staff, have answered their questions and sought to address any concerns.”
