Teachers begin strikes over pensions

Teachers at a private school are taking four days of strike action over pensions, having previously paused the dispute to consider a revised offer.

Staff at Windermere School in Cumbria walked out on Wednesday for 48 hours, with another strike scheduled for next week.

The dispute is over proposed reductions to employer pension contributions, according to the NASUWT and National Education Union (NEU).

Consultations continue, the school said, adding it would aim to keep disruption to a "minimum".

The next two-day strike is scheduled for 1-2 May.

Staff say they are being offered the choice to remain with their current pension provider but with reduced employer contributions, or switch to a new scheme with similarly reduced employer contributions.

An earlier strike planned for 17 April was paused after the school put forward a new offer.

This 1.5% pay rise for all staff was rejected as it did not include any protection to pensions, the NEU said.

An NEU official added: "We just want [management] to get around the table and talk to us."

A school spokesperson said the 1.5% offer was not related to strike action and instead the result of "ongoing internal communication and consultation" with staff.

They said the school appreciated the move away from the current pension provisions was "significant for staff".

"However all [teacher] contracts will be continuous to ensure job security and a generous alternative pension has been provided."

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