Teachers stage second day of strike action Flint High School
Staff at Flint High School have staged a second day of strike action this week, as members of the National Education Union (NEU) continue their dispute over alleged bullying and pupil behaviour.
Union members walked out on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 September, and are due to strike again on Thursday 25.
The NEU says the action follows the governing body’s failure to address concerns about the headteacher’s conduct and the school’s approach to managing behaviour.
The union said members had offered to postpone strike action on Tuesday if the local authority agreed to meet all staff to hear their concerns.
That offer was rejected, with a counteroffer to meet only with NEU officials and a workplace representative.
Nicola Fitzpatrick, Wales Secretary for the NEU, said: “We recognise that some positive support from the Local Authority has been offered in relation to pupil behaviour. However, we have yet to have any movement from the governing body in relation to the conduct of the Headteacher.
“Strike action on a single school basis by the NEU in North Wales is unprecedented. The overwhelming public support we have has shown that people understand that when education workers – who have given their lives to children and young people – go on strike, something is seriously wrong.”
She added: “We do not have any strike dates planned for the next two weeks. We would urge the governing body to take up our offer to meet with all members on the 6th of October to allow us to speak directly about our concerns. We know that governors have been sent an anti-NEU presentation, surely they should now want to hear from the NEU at Flint High.”
Liz McLean, NEU Executive Member for Wales, said: “We would have expected some humility from the school leadership. What we’ve had is a threatening letter from a legal firm, inflammatory messages and presentations to staff, and now agency workers are being brought in to cover striking workers. These tactics will not work, our members will stand together and they will not tolerate any threats to their own or their pupils’ health, safety and wellbeing.”
Flintshire County Council has previously said grievances raised against the headteacher had been investigated and not upheld.
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