Camden teachers threaten to strike over cuts that are ‘a step backwards’

Published: 17th February, 2011
by TOM FOOT

HUNDREDS of teachers in Camden could strike before the end of term in a row over job losses.

Camden branch of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) – representing about 1,100 of 1,300 teachers – has been given the all-clear by its national executive to ballot members.

Union chiefs say they have been left with no option but to oppose cuts which they say represent a “historic step backwards”.

Teachers in Camden – including those specialising in special needs, music and sexual health – are facing redundancy following a 20 per cent cut to the council’s budget. The union is demanding that all staff made redundant are redeployed in schools.

Camden NUT secretary Andrew Baisley said: “We have held our own informal ballot and had a very strong response. We are satisfied that Camden teachers are prepared to take the drastic step on this. No teacher votes for strike action lightly but that [the cuts] is a historic step backwards. We are ultimately hoping the council will reverse these cuts, although we obviously recognise the great difficulty put on them by central government.”

Staff posts at Camden’s School Improvement Service are being slashed from 41 to 19. The service trains and supports teachers, boosting children’s literacy and numeracy levels and helping pupils with English as an additional language.

Six posts at the Primary Cognitive and Learning Team, who work one-to-one with special needs children, have been axed because of budget pressures.

Music and sexual health specialist teachers are also threatened by the cutbacks.

Mr Baisley said: “When [the Education Secretary, Michael] Gove talks about cuts to service he says it like these people are bureaucrats who don’t add value to education. The truth is the services that are being cut are for the most needy and the most vulnerable.”

Camden Council’s children’s services are facing cuts of about 20 per cent over the next three years.

Labour schools chief Councillor Heather John­son said: “It’s a shame teachers feel the need to take strike action, because clearly the most harm is to the pupils. But I understand their anger. It is all just so distressing. 

“The government has made loud noises about supporting education and thinking education is important but has also significantly cut the money we receive. 

“What makes me angry is when I hear people saying Labour councils are making cuts worse just to make a point. Labour councils do not make cuts to vulnerable people out of choice.”

Councillor Andrew Mennear, leader of the Conservatives in Camden and a former education boss at the Town Hall, said: “Teachers striking is a huge mistake. It’s a breakdown in the compact agreement they have with the children. 

“Those losing out here are the children. There are other ways to get your message across without striking. People have to be realistic. This country’s in a hell of a mess, inherited from the Labour Party – and it needs resolving.”