All Saints and St George’s School strikes will go ahead

As The Press reported last week, more than 100 teachers and support staff are set to go on strike at All Saints RC secondary school and St George’s RC primary in Fishergate tomorrow (Wednesday, April 30).

As a result St George’s will be closed to pupils tomorrow and All Saints will only be open to pupils in Year 11 and Year 13, the groups who will be taking their examinations this summer.

Recommended reading:

Those going on strike are National Education Union (NEU) members and there are picket lines planned at both school gates tomorrow morning and further strikes planned on Tuesday and Wednesday June 24 and 25.

It comes after no agreement was reached at talks between the two sides on Monday (April 28).

They say it is over issues they have with financial management at the Middlesbrough academy chain to which the schools now belong – Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT).

The trust say a restructured board, new directors and a new chair, Karen Siedle, has been appointed.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “A constructive meeting took place on Monday between NEU representatives and members of NPCAT’s new board of directors, including chair Karen Siedle.

“A further meeting with union representatives has been arranged for Monday, May 19 to continue this positive dialogue.

“We want to assure all our staff that we are listening to their concerns and hope to work together to build trust and come to an agreement.”

About 100 people crammed into Friargate Meeting House in the city on Wednesday night (April 23) following the plans.

All Saints lower school site (Image: Newsquest) Michael Kearney, NEU secretary for city of York, said that there was overwhelming support at the meeting for All Saints and St George’s staff over their planned action.

Mr Kearney said: “Talks were positive but provided no tangible changes as of yet.

“We have been trying to resolve these issues within the academy for about 10 months now and ultimately none of us want to take industrial action, but this is a last resort and we have made sure that it’s not going to impact on any exams.”

Michael Kearney, NEU secretary for city of York