Teachers to strike in pensions row

Teachers at two private schools are to take part in further strike action over proposed pension cuts.

Staff at the Coventry School Foundation said they had been told to make a choice between moving to an inferior pension scheme or remaining in the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) - but accepting an almost 12% pay cut.

The NASUWT union said teachers were threatened with being fired and re-employed on new contracts if they did not voluntarily accept these changes.

The BBC has approached Coventry School Foundation for a response.

Teachers in the NASUWT and NEU unions at Bablake and King Henry VIII schools, managed by the foundation, will strike on Tuesday and Thursday.

Six further days will also be called throughout January, the NASUWT said, after staff took part in its first strike day on Thursday.

It said the industrial action was due to the foundation failing to bring forward a "sensible proposal".

Christopher Denson, National Executive Member for the NEU said: "There is no justification for cutting into the pensions of our members.

"Pupils, parents and our members all deserve better. Our members would prefer to be in the classroom teaching.

"It is time for the foundation to make this right by both withdrawing plans to exit the TPS and ending the threat of 'fire and rehire'."

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