Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union at Abbey Gate College in Chester are taking a further five planned days of strike action, starting tomorrow (Tuesday) over attempts to make teachers choose between their pension or their pay.

The employer is attempting to remove staff from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and enrol them in an inferior Defined Contribution scheme. If teachers choose to remain in the TPS they must accept a reduced salary. Teachers took an initial day of strike action last month.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:

“These unjustified plans are an attack on the financial security of hard-working teachers. The school is attempting to force them to choose between being left worse off in retirement or worse off now.

“The employer has not provided any solid evidence that there is any financial necessity to undermine teachers’ future financial security in this way.

“The Employer must withdraw these proposals and work with us so that further strike action can be avoided.”

Brian McConnell, NASUWT National Executive Member for Chester, said:

“We have made every effort to engage positively in talks with the employer, however we do not accept their claim that it is beyond their means to maintain teachers in the TPS.

“The employer needs to withdraw these proposals and work with us to find a resolution to this dispute.”