12 Schools in Medway will be closed or partially closed tomorrow as public sector workers go on strike
14:00, 09 July 2014
updated: 14:24, 09 July 2014
At least 12 schools in Medway will be closed or partially closed as public sector workers go on strike tomorrow.
People involved with Unison, Unite the Union, the GMB, the Public and Commercial Services union and the National Union of Teachers will be walking out of their jobs during a day of action.
Nationally the strike is expected not only to affect schools but also the fire service, bin collections, social workers, job centres, courts and libraries.
However Medway Council is currently unaware of any disruption, aside from school closures.
Of the schools which have replied to the Messenger’s inquiries, five will be closed completely: Luton Infants, Luton Juniors, Greenvale, Strood Academy and Brompton Academy - although their Year 6 inductions are going ahead.
Seven others will be partially closed:
- Hempstead Infants: Owls and Kangaroos classes closed
- Temple Mill: Reception and Nursery closed
- St Thomas of Canterbury RCP School
- Barnsole Federation: six Keystage 2 classes closed Tyson, Oberon, Falaris, Juno, pegasus, aquarious.
- Bligh Federation: classes close are Jade, Lilac, Dover, Deal, Upnor, Rochester, Cooling.
- Greenacre Academy: closed to Years 7, 8, 9, 10
- Walderslade Girls’ School: closed to Years 7, 8, 9, 10
Information from Chatham Grammar School for Boys, Rainham School for Girls and The Robert Napier School is still awaited.
The NUT also went on strike in March this year, and 20 schools in Medway were closed or partially closed at the time.
A spokeswoman from the NUT say they are striking over five issues, primarily to “remove an excessive workload and pointless bureaucracy.
They also want to be rid of performance related pay and reverse “unfair” pension changes because “teachers cannot work until 68”.
The union argues more teacher are needed and the government need to listen to teachers on new policies.
Medway’s fire service will be striking for eight days starting on Monday, July 14 to Monday, July 21 as part of a long running row over pensions and increasing the age they can claim from 55 to 60.
