Teachers at a high school in Glasgow are holding twelve days of strike action due to allegedly violent and disruptive pupils.
The Teacher's union, NASUWT, will hold the first strike at Bannarmen High School on November 24 and on another 11 days in the run up to Christmas over perceived safety issues. The union say they have engaged with the school since October of last year about this issue.
The union claim that staff have been 'shoved and threatened' and someone 'brandished' a screwdriver at the school. However, a source told the Record that the problem only relates to a small number of pupils.
They also claim teachers were told they would be sent home without pay if they refused to stay in classrooms.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “The actions and systematic failures of the Council are placing the safety of teachers at serious risk.
“No teacher should have to go to work expecting to be sworn at, verbally abused or threatened with violence from the pupils they teach.
“Glasgow City Council’s attempts to bully our members are indicative of a climate of fear that the Council has allowed to develop at Bannerman School.”
Mike Corbett, NASUWT National Official Scotland, said: “Where any pupil seeks to intimidate staff in classrooms, corridors and elsewhere, disrupt classes or pose a constant threat to the health and safety of teachers the Council should be taking action to protect staff rather than bullying and threatening our members.
“The NASUWT will not stand by whilst any teacher suffers violence and abuse at work and whilst Glasgow City Council fails to upholds its duty of care to staff and pupils.”
Glasgow City Council have since refuted the union's claims they have 'bullied' staff, saying they take their safety 'very seriously.'
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “The position that has been outlined by the NASUWT is an inaccurate reflection of the extensive, ongoing support by the council and senior management at the school and it is deeply upsetting that the school is once again being dragged through the media.
“The safety of our staff is taken very seriously and additional measures have been in place at the school to meet the needs of the teachers and support staff in the ASL base and the refusal to teach by some members can only be seen as victimisation of young people with significant needs.
“The school has a ratio of one teacher to every three pupils in the base as well as pupil support workers with individual support plans for young people.
“We do not recognise the characterisation of the council’s behaviour as bullying nor have we threatened any member of staff.
“Our legal view was made clear to the NASUWT that refusal to teach an individual young person would be considered breach of contract and have consistently engaged with the union and will continue to do so.”
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