Strikes at the Girls’ Day School Trust have come to an end after teachers voted to accept a new pensions offer.
Members of the NEU working in 23 schools in the group took unprecedented strike action in recent weeks over plans to withdraw from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
Following talks involving ACAS, teachers have won the right to stay in the TPS.
The NEU said in a statement: “The threat of fire and rehire has been withdrawn; and an enhanced pay offer has been made for all staff, teachers and support staff”.
But the NEU added that it still had concerns, saying: “A significant concern for the union remains the proposal to close the scheme to new teachers. The union and its members at the GDST schools believe this decision by the trust is short sighted and will lead to recruitment difficulties in the future.
“NEU members are relieved to be returning to the classroom. However, there is now significant work to be done to try and rebuild the staff’s trust and confidence in their employer which has been so badly rocked by this dispute.”
The GDST said teachers will now “have the choice between remaining in the TPS or joining the new GDST Flexible Pension Plan, both options including a pay rise.”
Chief executive Cheryl Giovannoni said: “We are pleased that, with the feedback from our teachers and their recognised trade union, the NEU, we have reached a position which teachers have accepted and that gives them a choice on how they wish to receive their total reward, depending on their personal circumstances.
“Importantly, these proposals are equally conducive to the long-term sustainability of the GDST and our charitable purpose of reaching as many girls as possible, across our family of schools…We are also committed to working with our heads, teachers and support staff to restore the spirit that is unique to the GDST community as we move forward together.”