Anti-academy strike in Birmingham

NUT members at Small Heath school in Birmingham have started nine days of strike action (19-21 and 26-28 January and 2-4 February) against the threat to turn their school into an academy. The school has failed to properly engage with staff, pupils or parents. Teachers took five days of strike action before Christmas over this issue.

Two days after teachers voted to take this round of strike action, NUT rep Simon O'Hara was suspended by management in an obvious attempt to break the action. About 50 teachers and suporters attended the first picket on a feeezing cold morning and heard many passing cars toot their horns in support. The mood was lively and determined. Teachers in the NASUWT will strike over the same issue on 20 and 21 January.

The picket line was visited by NUT NEC and Socialist Party member Jane Nellist.

The teachers are determined to win what could be a bitter dispute.

Please send protests about Simon O'Hara's suspension to: [email protected]
Messages of support to: [email protected]
Sign the online petition in support of Simon at chn.ge/1Q12Jm4

Clive Walder, Birmingham Socialist Party

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