Protest action over suspended teacher

UNION VOTES IN FAVOUR OF TWO-DAY STRIKE

TEACHERS at North Huddersfield Trust School are set to go on strike on Wednesday and Thursday following the headteacher’s decision to suspend PE teacher Louise Lewis last year.

The 37-year-old PE teacher has been suspended since October 1, 2020, by headteacher Andrew Fell, and her union, the National Education Union, (NEU), say this was for carrying out her union duties.

Yesterday was the first day of her disciplinary hearing.

A National Education Union spokeswoman said: “Following a successful formal ballot, NEU members at North Huddersfield Trust have voted in favour of strike action.

“The action is in protest over the treatment of our NEU workplace representative, Louise Lewis, who has been suspended and faces potential dismissal.

“The NEU believe this is a direct result of Louise’s activity as a rep in seeking to secure a safe working environment for colleagues and pupils during the pandemic.

“The approach of the school has been extremely concerning and they have moved to take disciplinary action rather than listen to and engaging with our rep about genuine and legitimate Health and Safety concerns that she was trying to resolve.

“The suspension of Louise was completely unnecessary and a disproportionate response on the part of the headteacher.

“The headteacher has a duty to maintain good staff relations and he should have sought to resolve matters rather than escalating them by suspending our representative.

“Louise needs to be back in school, teaching her pupils and that is what her colleagues are demanding.

“We have given the school notice of our ballot result and informed them that we are calling on all NEU members to take strike action with the first days of action taking place next week on 28 and 29 April.

“The NEU remains committed to seeking a resolution to this dispute in the best interests of our members. “We requested a meeting during the Easter Holidays with the Chairman of Governors and a senior colleague from HR.

NEU members at North Huddersfield Trust have voted in favour of strike

action

“Whilst we were pleased that a meeting took place, we were not able to reach an agreement that could avert strike action and resolve the dispute.

“A further meeting has been scheduled for Monday, 26 April.”

Yesterday, Huddersfield Trades Council said it “and the local parents remain steadfast in their support for Louise.

“We recognise this is vindictive victimisation of a local union rep whose only ‘crime’ has been to challenge the school on their inadequate health and safety protocols.

“Louise is extremely well-known in the community and she is trusted by those parents whose children go to the school.

“The trade unions will be coming together will the local community to show our support and solidarity with not only Louise, but also those staff who have been left with no