Teachers at Malvern House London are currently balloting for strike action after management refused to negotiate on basic, fair demands. This is part of a growing wave of action in the UK’s private English language teaching sector, as TEFL teachers organise for respect, fair pay and recognition of their union, the TEFL Workers’ Union (part of the IWW).
Our demands are simple and fair:
- Reinstate a popular colleague dismissed after an unfair disciplinary process
- Paid admin and lesson preparation time, not unpaid hours before classes
- An end to zero-hour contracts for any teacher who requests it
- A negotiated policy on lay-offs and short-time working.
This ballot is a response to management’s refusal to engage in good-faith talks. It is the next step in our campaign to restore planning, support and communication at Malvern House so that staff and students can thrive. As teacher Jeffrey Zedic says: “We’ve brought in the union so that, together, this can be restored.” Another colleague adds: “We are no longer willing to tolerate the disregard for the needs and views of teaching staff and the impact this has on our students.”
Why we need your support now
Balloting to strike is a crucial stage and it costs money. We are raising funds now to build our strike fund in advance so that if the ballot is successful and management continues to stonewall, we will be ready to take action without delay.
Your support will help cover:
- Loss of income if we go on strike
- Campaign materials
- Travel, outreach and building solidarity with students and supporters.
As teacher Simon Kelly says: “It’s important we stand together. They can’t get away with treating people so unfairly.”
Donate now to support Malvern House teachers and help shift the balance of power in the TEFL industry.
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