by James Ivens, London Socialist Party
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) at Little Ilford School in Newham were out on the picket line on 8 January. The strike was of teachers and support staff together, over workload.
The head has responded to falling funding by cutting preparation time, insisting on internal cover instead of supply staff, plus other measures.
It was a huge picket line, in the fine tradition built by Newham NEU. The school was all but closed – a few students went in but very few staff.
The mood was really confident. One picket told me that alternative measures the union group wants, described as “not possible” by the head, in light of the strike are suddenly described by management as possible.
At time of writing, negotiations were continuing and two days strike action were taking place this week.