Unions’ academy job fears

UNIONS are calling for a halt to the ring-fencing of jobs in one of Oldham’s new academies.

They are unhappy at the process to decide what jobs existing staff can apply for at the new Waterhead Academy, which will replace Breeze Hill and Counthill schools in September.

They have written to the council and academy principal designate Jackie Nellis demanding that the system is suspended until a better one is drawn up.

Members of the teaching unions NUT, ATL and NASUWT attended last week’s meeting.

They were joined by colleagues from the public sector union UNISON and the general GMB union.

Bryan Beckingham, joint NUT oldham branch secretary, said: “We agreed there was a problem with the ring-fencing and matching of people to jobs.

“We have called for the suspension of the process in order for senior people from each school, with union representation, to improve it.

“They have got a lot wrong and people are very upset because it does not seem to be a well thought-out process.”

The new academy will be run by Oldham College and is one of five opening this year as part of Oldham’s £266 million Building Schools for the future overhaul.

It will operate in the existing building before moving into a new school off Huddersfield Road, Waterhead, in October, 2012.

Staff are also said to be concerned about lack of information about the curriculum and are also worried that not enough work has been done to make sure there is no racial tension between Counthill, whose pupils are mostly white, and Breeze Hill, which has a large majority of pupils from Pakistani backgrounds.

Mr Beckingham said the academy was holding monthly meetings with the unions and added: “We are negotiating to make sure our members’ interests are protected when they transfer.”

A spokeswoman from the Oldham College said immediately after the joint union meeting, the Waterhead Academy Trust agreed with the joint trades unions to put in place a review of the transfer procedure with schools’ senior staff and unions.

She said: “The Trust hopes this will provide added reassurance to staff, showing that the process is fair, appropriate and transparent. ”