BREAKING: School workers in South London have secured a significant victory for improved maternity pay following a successful strike. Hundreds of members from the National Education Union (NEU) at nine schools within the Charter Schools Educational Trust in Lambeth and Southwark participated in this historic strike last week, marking the largest action across a multi-academy trust in London.
The workers were united in their demands for enhanced maternity pay, union recognition, and the abolition of performance-related pay systems. They achieved success on all fronts, bringing a sense of triumph to the picket lines. Jess Edwards, NEU secretary for Lambeth, stated, “We’ve won an enhancement of a couple thousand pounds more” for maternity pay.
While Lambeth schools historically boasted some of the best maternity pay policies in the country, a shift to academy trusts had created disparities in pay for new starters. This led to a troubling two-tier maternity policy that workers bravely challenged. The newly negotiated maternity pay has significantly narrowed this gap, igniting a renewed sense of confidence among union members.
“Strikers feel they have accomplished something vital and won,” Edwards continued. “It has demonstrated that the union is a force to reckon with, and management can’t simply impose changes.” The impact of these victories resonates beyond the immediate context, suggesting potential for future strikes centered on equality issues.
Earlier this year, in April 2023, school workers at the Dunraven Education Trust in South London similarly triumphed in their bids for maternity pay, union recognition, and improved pay policies. Edwards emphasized that maternity pay was the catalyst for these disputes, stating, “Maternity was the way into these two disputes and through that we sorted out pay and recognition.”
This achievement highlights the ongoing anger among educators facing a national recruitment and retention crisis, which disproportionately affects women in their 30s. Edwards articulated the struggle, saying, “For many, working at a school is not compatible with family life.”
The enhanced maternity pay allows parents more time at home with their newborns, alleviating financial pressure. “It means you don’t have to rush back to work because you can’t afford to live. You can spend an extra couple of months with your child, which is massive,” she concluded. This victory not only underscores the importance of fair maternity policies but also emphasizes that educators feel valued and supported in their roles.
As developments continue to unfold, the implications of this successful strike may inspire similar actions across the education sector and beyond. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
