Dear Parents / Carers,
We have been informed by the NUT and ATL unions that they will be taking industrial action in the form of a strike on Thursday 30th June 2011.
This action is not against the college itself but is part of national industrial action organised by these trades unions about changes to the pension schemes of their members.
There is no requirement on unions to inform us of which members of staff will take action, and it may be that they will not know themselves as there is no obligation on members of unions to obey
a strike call.
Neither the governing body nor the Principal is legally allowed to close the college ‘in sympathy’ with the strike and we will not do so. However, our main concern is the safety of our students. The college will only close if in the opinion of the Principal it is not safe to remain open. If it does remain open, it is unlikely that lessons will be normal and there may have to be sessions of private study supervised by a senior member of staff. If action is prolonged, i.e. further strike days next term, we will endeavour to protect the education of those on examination courses.
It is very unlikely we will close on the 30th June but should things develop from the current position we will use the same procedures as for emergency closure i.e. our website and local radio stations. You will be notified in this instance, by Tuesday 28th June 2011 at the latest.
We must all hope that the issues over which the industrial action has arisen are resolved as soon
as possible.
Yours sincerely
G Lund
Chair of Interim Executive Board
Sharon Rossides
Principal, Darton College
