NUT dismisses college-led inquiry as "meaningless"

For two days this week, a picket line has been formed outside of Sir George Monoux College in Chingford Road, Walthamstow, over claims teachers Flor Thompson, a health and safety representative, and Diana George were unfairly dismissed last year.

The union is calling for both long-serving teachers to be reinstated or offered a financial settlement, but this has been rejected by the college, prompting further industrial action. 

Principal Paolo Ramella described the ongoing dispute as a "misunderstanding" and defended the dismissals by saying "whenever there are breaches in discipline or safeguarding, the college needs to take action."

A meeting between the college's senior vice chair, Brian Westbury, Mr Ramella, human resources manager Elaine Brown, and representatives of the NUT took place yesterday. 

The college said it offered to issue a joint statement supporting the role the NUT play at the college and to commission an inquiry into allegations of victimisation. 

Chair of the Corporation of Sir George Monoux College, Alan Wells, said: "The NUT rejected this offer out of hand and indicated that further industrial action would take place unless the Corporation agreed to reinstate these two former members of staff or to make a financial settlement to them.

"This is unacceptable to us as any financial settlement would indicate that victimisation had occurred in advance of an inquiry.

"I reiterate our offer set out above, made in good faith, and I hope that members of the NUT will reconsider their rejection of this offer. 

"Further industrial action, when a way forward has been proposed by the Corporation, will inflict even more damage on the young people which we all are committed to serve."

Union members protest over double dismissal outside Sir George Monoux College

Waltham Forest NUT secretary Steve White, said the union had "no confidence" in a college-led enquiry. 

"Mr Ramella told us the college does not reward bad behaviour," he said. 

"This is an absurd statement that is not applicable to this situation. 

"By making a financial offer it would not indicate blame, it would simply draw a line under it and admit there has been a breakdown.

"We have rejected an inquiry because it is meaningless and wastes time and one staff member is taking the matter to the Employment Tribunal."

The college said it will defend its position at the Employment Tribunal and said almost half of NUT members at the college did not vote at all for strike action.