Primary school forced to close for three days as staff walk out on strike

A primary school will be closed for three days from today as dozens of support staff walk out on strike over a proposed restructure.

Parents and children will face locked gates at Mulgrave Primary School in Rectory Place, Woolwich, from today until Friday.

Teaching assistants and early years and inclusion workers at the school who are members of the Unite, GMB and Unison unions are opposing the proposals which would lead to 14 job cuts.

The union’s claims the proposals were set out by Greenwich council.

Greenwich council declined to comment and said it was a matter for the unions and the school. The school has been contacted for a response.

Unite regional officer Mary Summers said: “Our members are the backbone of this school and parents should direct their anger at the closure to the council and school management over their short-sighted plans to make them redundant.

“All our members want is a fair deal and to ensure children in Greenwich go to schools that are properly staffed.”

As well as the job losses the proposals involve scrapping flexible working, creating additional unpaid duties and cutting the pay of remaining workers, the unions say.

Staff previously took one day of strike action against the proposals in September.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has experienced this game playing and inaction from Greenwich council before and we simply won’t stand for it. The council’s attitude to its staff is deplorable. “Unite always prioritises the jobs, pay and conditions of workers and our members at Mulgrave will receive Unite’s complete support.”

Pictured top: Mulgrave Primary School in Woolwich (Picture: Google Street View)