Teachers at Malvern House London are voting on strike action after management refused to negotiate on demands including reinstatement of a sacked colleague, paid preparation time and an end to zero-hour contracts.
Teachers at Malvern House London are voting on strike action in a major escalation of their campaign for better pay, conditions and union recognition.
The teachers, all members of the TEFL Workers’ Union (part of the Industrial Workers of the World), have submitted demands including the reinstatement of a popular teacher, paid preparation time, an end to zero-hour contracts and negotiated policies on lay offs and short-time working.
Relations between staff and management have worsened since a new leadership team took over at the school. Teachers say this has created an environment where their voices are ignored and conditions have deteriorated.
One of the central issues is the dismissal of a popular teacher after a disciplinary process that staff and the union believe to be unfair. Other demands include removing a contract clause that forces teachers to be at work, unpaid, before lessons begin, the introduction of paid admin and preparation time, and the abolition of zero-hour contracts for any teacher who requests it. The workers are also calling for a negotiated policy on lay-offs and short-term working.
“All good systems require planning, support and communication in order to thrive. For years, we’ve felt Malvern House has been lacking this. We’ve brought in the union so that, together, this can be restored,” said teacher Jeffrey Zedic.
Another Malvern House teacher added: “We are no longer willing to tolerate the disregard for the needs and views of teaching staff and the impact this has on our students.”
Simon Kelly, another teacher, said: “It’s important we stand together! They can’t get away with treating people so unfairly.”
Tom Liebewitz, lead organiser for the TEFL Workers’ Union, said: “Malvern House is a profitable school whose success is down to the dedication of its teachers, some of whom have been there nearly two decades. But instead of rewarding this, management is turning the screws on working conditions and staff wellbeing. That ends now.”
This is the second private English language school in London to ballot for strike action this summer, following EC English London in June. Teachers across the sector say that unless employers improve pay and conditions, industrial action in the TEFL industry will continue to grow.
For further enquiries or to get assistance as a worker in the TEFL industry please email: tefl [at] iww [dot] org [dot] uk