Langdon school on strike in Newham

Teachers at the 1,900-pupil Langdon School were out for three days last week for the second week in a row and are intending to strike three days every week until issues of workload and management bullying are dealt with. It was sparked after a union survey revealed many workers unhappy with the relatively new headteacher Dr Manuzah Tabassum's management style.

After an 86% vote for strike action on an 80% turnout, staff are reported to be solid, with around 70 on strike. Despite management and Labour local authority bringing in hoards of agency staff to scab, it appears the strikes are growing - with two picket-crossers eventually joining the strike.

They're now attempting to spread the strike:
'We've had speakers out at ten meetings in London schools and associations this week. Messages of support continue to come in and we're now getting a lot of donations to the strike fund. The school continues to bring in supply teachers to break the strike, however, and our classes are going on in some fashion when we're on strike.

The main development of the week was the intervention of the LA in a somewhat more constructive manner. Under pressure from parents especially, the LA met the union this Tuesday and they agreed to draw up a joint statement designed to lead to a suspension of the strikes. However, we were very disappointed with it, feeling that it moved us only slightly forward on the workload issues and not really addressing the question of bullying management in a serious way. We had a long discussion with our union officials in the strikers' meeting and voted nem con not to suspend the strikes. We made a number of suggestions for negotiations and our officials are returning to the LA with these at the moment.'

The school's NUT reps report that they've received over £1000 in donations to the strike fund last week and that they're making links with locals by leafletting "10,000 houses in the three wards nearest the school to build support in the community. This is our main focus in the next few days, then we are due to strike again on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday."

Management bullying and oppressive workloads are rife in schools, particularly in this poisonous climate of competition, league tables, and churning out the next generation of workplace fodder. This is often compounded by a new headteacher attempting to assert their authority. In this instance it's typified by telling workers if they don't like it, they should look for another job.

It's inspiring to see people fighting back, and it would be amazing if the calls to spread these strikes borough-wide come to fruition.

Victory to the Langdon School teachers!

[edit - figures and dates clarified thanks to JasonCortez]