NUT central service members took strike action on 15th February 2011 in a fight back against redundancies. Strike action was taken as a last resort by the NUT members of the Oldham Strategy Team and New Arrivals Team following consultations and meetings with the LA that in the words of the NUT have proved ‘fruitless and frustrating’. Tony Harrison of the NUT says:
‘Cutting these teams will impact on all sections of Oldham’s community, especially the working class and ethnic minorities. Standards have risen dramatically in Oldham over the last five years, in primary and secondary schools, in English Maths and Science as a consequence of the work and dedication of these teachers and advisors. Their work is highly valued by schools, parents and communities. Yet we are looking at future generations of ‘Oldhammers’ growing up and becoming disadvantaged educationally, with impoverished opportunities, because they haven’t achieved fully in Maths, English and other important subjects.'
Tony Harrison goes on to comment on the important role that English plays in uniting communities across Oldham and criticises Oldham Council for the stance it has taken on centrally employed teams.
'The English language unites all of us in the different communities across Oldham. This is a cornerstone of our community cohesion. It really is incredible and beggars belief, that after April Oldham won’t be able to offer its own team of English and Maths specialists for work with schools. We accept the fact that the grants have been cut, but the money to pay for these services is now definitely with schools. The council talks about choice but the schools have now lost the option for good of buying back these quality local professionals and their services.'
The NUT is asking the LA to withdraw the redundancies and for the sake of Oldham schools, children and their communities to preserve these teams.
This story and the NUT/NALDIC survey results were featured in the Times Educational Supplement article (18.02.11) ‘Cuts ‘will demonise’ non-English speakers.
As the article points out, the cuts come shortly after prime minister David Cameron highlighted the need for immigrants to be better integrated into British society in order to curb extremism.
