TEACHERS were due to walk out at two specialist education facilities on Wednesday in a dispute over proposed changes to their work conditions.

Members of the NASUWT went on strike at Nugent House School in Billinge and St Catherine’s Secure Centre in Blackbrook after failing to reach an agreement with their employers Nugent Care.

It was the first of six days planned strike action.

Both facilities provide special educational needs for youngsters.

Mick Burrows NASUWT National Executive Member for Merseyside explained that the teachers working at Nugent House and St Catherine’s were on terms which “mirrored” those of teachers in mainstream schools. However Nugent Care is now saying these terms no longer apply, he said.

“These teachers work in difficult areas so by the nature of the job they take time off. Other teachers have covered for each other so there has been a lot of good will shown.

“Now the teachers are saying enough is enough. This about more than sick pay. We have met with Nugent Care four or five times in the past 16 months and offered all kinds of suggestions. When teachers or leave and retire they could employ new staff ion these new pay and conditions.

“But this is purely down to money saving. But it will ending up costing them when they lose that good will and have to pay for supply teachers when others are off.”

He said that this was the first of six planned strike days with two more planned for next week.

“We hope this strike will focus their attention,” he said.

Chris Keates general secretary of the union said: “The strike at both Nugent and St Catherine’s is completely avoidable.

“The NASUWT has made every effort to secure an agreed way forward through negotiation but the employer has refused to listen to the serious concerns of teachers and has moved to impose proposals which threaten to worsen working conditions.

“Accepting these changes will open the door to further detrimental changes to terms and conditions.

“Our members are all dedicated and committed members of staff but they have been left with no choice given the employers’ intransigence.

“All that is needed to avoid the strikes is a commitment by the employer to engage in genuine negotiation on the proposals and to listen to the concerns of teachers.

“The NASUWT stands ready to resolve this dispute.”

No one from Nugent Care was available for comment.