BREAKING: School workers in South London have achieved a significant victory for improved maternity pay after a powerful strike last week. Hundreds of members from the National Education Union (NEU) across nine schools in the Charter Schools Educational Trust in Lambeth and Southwark participated in the largest strike involving a multi-academy trust in London.
The strike, which unfolded from April 2023, demanded enhanced maternity pay, union recognition, and the elimination of performance-related pay. Union representatives confirmed that they succeeded in all their demands, with Jess Edwards, NEU secretary for Lambeth, stating, “We have won an enhancement of a couple thousand pounds more” for maternity pay.
The previous maternity pay structure led to a two-tier policy, disadvantaging new starters at academy trusts compared to local authority schools. Edwards emphasized that while Lambeth schools previously had some of the best maternity pay policies in the country, the transition to academy trusts complicated matters. “When schools become part of academy trusts, the maternity pay of new starters is decided by the academy, not the local authority,” she explained.
The successful strike not only narrows the maternity pay gap but also boosts the confidence of union members. Edwards noted, “They feel a sense that they have done something and won. It has shown that the union is a force you have to deal with, and management can’t just make changes.” This victory resonates beyond just maternity pay; it signals a growing movement addressing broader issues of equality in the workplace.
The ongoing national recruitment and retention crisis in schools has particularly affected women in their 30s, highlighting the urgent need for improved working conditions. Edwards pointed out that the demands for better maternity pay reflect a critical need for family-friendly work environments in education. “Maternity pay means you don’t have to rush back to work because you can’t afford to live. You can spend an extra couple of months with your child, which is massive. It gives a sense that you are valued,” she remarked.
As the impact of this victory ripples through the education sector, it raises significant questions about future strikes and collective actions around equalities issues. The NEU has already seen success earlier this year when school workers at the Dunraven Education Trust in South London secured victories for maternity pay and union recognition, showing a possible trend toward further negotiations and actions in the sector.
This developing situation is crucial for educational workers and families in South London, indicating a shift toward recognizing and valuing the contributions of school staff, particularly in relation to supporting their family lives. As the NEU continues to advocate for workers’ rights, the momentum gained through these recent strikes may inspire other unions and groups to push for similar changes across the country.
