A PICKET line was in place this morning outside Oldershaw Academy as staff choose to strike over redundancy terms.

Today marks the first in a series of one-day strikes for the teaching staff, who feel let down by the school after they were told their redundancy pay had reduced substantially.

Currently the five members of staff made redundant look set to leave with less than 50 percent of the pay they would have received if the school was still under the control of the local authority.

Damien McNulty, who is a National Executive member for the NASUWT teaching union had told the Globe striking was their last resort.

“Strike action is not something the union takes lightly but it is our very last option.

“We have tried for months to arrange a meeting with executives from the academy but despite our repeated request they have resisted, so we are left we no option but to strike.” Damien added.

When changing to an academy in 2011, it is believed the school had told staff all policies they previously had in place would remain.

Earlier this year however, tensions started to rise when five members of staff were told they would be made redundant in August.

The union argue the decrease in redundancy pay is due to budgeting problems within the school which they blame on mismanagement.

If no agreement is made between the school and the union, further strikes are due to take place at the start of the next school terms.

The Globe is still awaiting a response from the school.