Further strike action avoided at Finsbury free school

Further strike action at free school looks set to be avoided after unions and bosses stuck a deal.

Teachers and staff walked out of Stem 6 Academy, in City Road, Finsbury, for two days last week over alleged “zero-hours” contracts in what’s thought to be the first strike at a free school.

More industrial action was scheduled for yesterday (Tuesday), today and tomorrow due to “deplorable” working conditions, but the school now looks set to open as normal.

Ken Muller, Assistant Secretary of Islington NUT, said: “Today’s negotiations made significant progress towards meeting our objective of moving staff on to terms and conditions of employment comparable with those enjoyed in sixth form colleges and we are optimistic that we will be able to resolve outstanding matters of concern without further resort to industrial action.”

A spokesman for the school said: ““We are very pleased that the NUT has taken the decision to suspend their planned strike action.”

He added: “We are making good progress and very much hope that the NUT will see no need for any further, unnecessary action. We remain committed to addressing remaining concerns relating to contracts and believe good progress has already been made with staff on this front.