ASCL comment on strike action
Although ASCL’s 15,000-plus members - who are the senior leaders of secondary schools and colleges - will not be joining in strike action on 30 November, the association fully understands and shares the anger of those who are choosing to take action.
ASCL General Secretary Brian Lightman said:
“ASCL members fully understand and share the anger of those teachers who have reluctantly decided to take industrial action. While we have different views on the best way to resolve the dispute, all the unions are united in opposition to the severity of the proposed changes to pensions and have been working with one voice to influence negotiations.”
“Negotiations are at a highly critical stage but there is reason to believe that with a constructive approach and goodwill from all parties we can reach a successful outcome. The government must show that it is serious about reaching a compromise. Whilst ASCL’s position remains that we would go to a ballot if we determine that negotiations have failed we earnestly hope that the government will not place us in this position.”
“The government also must remember that ASCL members, the leaders of the vast majority of secondary schools and colleges in the UK, have not gone to a ballot on industrial action, demonstrating that we are absolutely serious about resolving this dispute and averting the massive disruption it causes to young people’s education.”
“I have stressed to ministers the damaging impact this dispute is starting to have on the implementation of the coalition’s education policies. If the government is serious about creating a ‘high status profession’ it needs to attract and retain the highest quality teachers and school and college leaders.”
“Initial feedback from ASCL members indicates that the majority of secondary schools will be at least partially closed. This is a decision headteachers do not take lightly but they can only keep their schools open when they have adequate staffing to guarantee the safety of their students.”
25 November 2011
