The first-ever strike ballot in the UK’s private TEFL sector is underway.
Teachers at EC English London, members of the TEFL Workers’ Union (IWW), are balloting to strike, marking an unprecedented moment for TEFL teachers.
“After 18 months of organising, a public rally and a formal request for union recognition on 30 May, EC bosses are still refusing to negotiate. That refusal leaves staff with no choice but to escalate,” said the Union. The formal strike ballot began on 17 June.
This could lead to the first-ever strike in a UK private language school.
EC teachers are demanding:
- Real pay rises after years of falling wages
- Paid admin time, standard across education, still denied to TEFL teachers
- Good-faith negotiations with their union.
EC teacher and IWW member Helen Jardine said: “We love our jobs, and we love our students. But we need formal union recognition to make real change.”
“This is a call to the entire sector: things must change,” the Union said in its statement.
Image courtesy of Library
