A faction of employees from the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) have voted “almost unanimously” to strike against changes to their pensions.

GMB members of NASUWT will be striking all over the country on the 5 and 9 November, arguing that the changes will result in “members having to make 45 years contributions to accrue a full half salary pension”.

In June, NASUWT agreed changes which guaranteed defined benefit pension scheme and a “pay award” of RPI for the next three years for all employees.

GMB organiser, Dave Warwick, said: “It gives dedicated trade unionists no pleasure to be taking strike action against a sister union.

"However our members voted on a large turn out, almost unanimously, to strike as all other avenues have been met with deaf ears."

Furthermore, GMB said that key documents were withheld by NASUWT, and that attempts to discuss improvements to the proposals “were rejected by the employer with during and after the consultation period”.

According to NASUWT, the union reaffirmed its commitment to negotiations with GMB on 11 October around a “future pay mechanism”, but said that GMB rejected the offer.

A NASUWT spokesperson said: “The NASUWT is committed to ensuring the best possible terms and conditions of employment for its staff and will continue to work with both recognised staff unions to that end.
 
The NASUWT will make every effort to minimise any disruption caused by the GMB strike action, to keep NASUWT sites open and to maintain its service to members
 
The NASUWT apologises for any inconvenience the GMB’s action may cause.

Members from London, Birmingham, Tyne and Wear, Exeter and Edinburgh have confirmed they will be striking.

It is the second time GMB members have called industrial action this month, after strike action took place on 17 October.

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