The National Education Union has declared a significant victory following the conclusion of a damaging nine-day strike across twenty schools in the Midlands. The industrial action, which threatened widespread job losses, has been called off after negotiations led to a pause in redundancy consultations and leadership changes at the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership.
Strike Action and Financial Crisis
Teachers and support staff across the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership walked out for nine days this month, with strikes taking place on January 14, 15, 20 to 22, and 26 to 29. The industrial action was triggered by the Trust's announcement last October that it needed to make "staffing changes" and was consulting on voluntary redundancy and early resignation programmes due to a severe financial crisis.
The-then ATLP chairman, John Vickers, stated at the time: "We have a duty to ensure the Trust remains financially sustainable." In December, NEU members confirmed strike plans over what they claimed was a risk to more than 100 jobs across the partnership.
School Disruption Across the Midlands
The strike action caused significant disruption across multiple educational institutions in Sutton Coldfield, Erdington in Birmingham, Lichfield, Tamworth, Coleshill, and Coventry. Many schools were either completely closed or only open to vulnerable pupils and those in examination years, affecting thousands of students across the region.
The deadlock was finally broken on Thursday, January 29, following intensive talks between union representatives and Trust management. This breakthrough came after the announcement that Trust chief executive Richard Gill had taken a leave of absence, paving the way for renewed negotiations.
Agreement Reached and Strike Called Off
The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership issued a joint statement with the NEU confirming an end to the dispute. The statement revealed that both parties had "agreed to pause all current restructuring and redundancy consultations" and would take "every step possible so any future compulsory redundancies are a last resort."
As a result of this agreement, planned strike days for February have been officially called off, allowing normal educational activities to resume across all twenty affected schools.
Union Leadership Celebrates Victory
General Secretary of the NEU, Daniel Kebede, posted on social media today: "Victory at Arthur Terry Learning Partnership. After nine days of strike action, with strong pickets across 20 schools, mass parent support and sustained public pressure, NEU reps and members have won."
Kebede outlined the specific achievements secured through the industrial action:
- Redundancies stopped
- Teaching and learning responsibility payments protected
- Regradings blocked
- Term-time only changes scrapped
- Education, Health and Care Plan and pupil premium funding protected
He added: "But most importantly accountability secured as the senior leadership has gone. This is the power of organised workers standing together with their communities. Congratulations to ATLP members and reps, and thank you to everyone who stood in solidarity."
Local Union Response and Future Challenges
Local NEU member Chris Denson commented: "NEU members across ATLP are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with the Trust regarding plans to address the financial issues that have become apparent in recent months. We have secured the protection of members' jobs, and importantly secured promises and ongoing work which will mean greater funds and support in schools for our children."
Denson expressed gratitude for community support, stating: "We are grateful for the support of parents and the community in this campaign, and are assured that we have a positive route through with new Trust leaders to secure the best for all children across our schools."
Despite this resolution, significant challenges remain for the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership. The Trust must still address how it will pay down millions of pounds of debt and plug the substantial black hole in its finances, though specific plans for achieving this financial recovery have yet to be confirmed or made public.
