Union-busting scandal explodes at Leicester academy after rep suspended

After an overwhelming vote to strike by workers, an academy special school in Leicester has faced accusations of union-busting over the highly controversial suspension of union rep Tom Barker.

UNISON members voted to strike over severe understaffing, excessive workload, and escalating health and safety risks. The Discovery Schools Academy Trust has sought ‘savings’ by cutting staff — mostly from the frontline, which has increased pressure on remaining employees. The consultation process for this was allegedly very problematic. Now, since Barker’s suspension following the union vote, the academy’s behaviour has been attracting more and more attention.

UNISON responded to the suspension by saying:

UNISON will not stand for reps being attacked in the name of union-busting. Management at Discovery Trust may think that these tactics will disrupt UNISON’s organising and strengthen their hand in the ongoing dispute, but we are a member-led union: such attempts will fail. An attack on one of us is an attack on all.

Pressure keeps growing amid ‘direct attempt to silence the union’

Last week, the Secretary of the Leicester & District Trades Union Council also expressed its concern about Barker’s suspension, highlighting that:

In 2023, Tom successfully led one of UNISON’s most significant education disputes, winning up to 25% pay increases for low paid support workers in the middle of a cost of living crisis.

The statement insisted:

The trade union movement stands with Tom and UNISON members at Ash Field Academy. Please send messages of support to Unison Leicester City Branch. An Injury to one is an injury to all

On 3 December, meanwhile, a message from the City of Leicester District of the National Education Union (NEU) asserted:

This is a disgraceful attack on Unison rep #TomBarker who is being victimised for his excellent work representing members at Ash Field Academy.

It added that:

Tom’s suspension clearly represents a direct attempt to silence the union and victimise its rep who also now sits on the Union’s National Executive Committee. NEU members stand in solidarity with Tom and Unison members at Ash Field Academy during these difficult times.

The Bakers’ Union (BFAWU) sent a message of solidarity on the same day, saying:

Tom stood with the Bakers’ Union when we campaigned for a recognition agreement at Samworth Brothers food factories in Leicestershire. More recently he helped support suspended Bakers’ union members at Unique Windows. Now the Bakers’ Union stands with Tom and UNISON members at Ashfield.

If this is the level of union-busting employers think they can get away with, the response from the labour movement and unions will determine what happens next.

Featured image via Leicester City Council