College staff have launched further strike action over union claims two teachers were unfairly dismissed. 

National Union of Teachers (NUT) representatives and teachers formed a picket line outside of Sir George Monoux College in Chingford Road, Walthamstow, this morning (May 6) calling for both teachers to be reinstated.  

The two-day strike action continuing tomorrow morning is in response to claims two female teachers dismissed last year for gross misconduct were "victimised" because of their role as union representatives.   

Principal Paolo Ramella has been accused by the NUT of "delaying negotiations for weeks" but the college has said that it agreed to meet with the NUT today. 

Mr Ramella, said: "The action has been called despite the college agreeing to meet with the NUT on the May 6, the day the meeting is due to take place. 

"The date was agreed by the NUT and was the first date all participants, including the NUT and governors were available.

"Whenever there are breaches in discipline or safeguarding, the college needs to take action”.

"We are disappointed that the NUT has voted for strike action, which the College believes is based on a misunderstanding about these cases." 

This is the second time industrial action has been called and Waltham Forest NUT secretary Steve White has warned further strikes are "inevitable".  

Mr White, said: "The College has to understand that the NUT will not sit back and see people sacked for their union activities.

"Mr Ramella’s attempt to dispose of people who challenge his actions displays a bullying attitude.

"Both our members have been gravely wronged, but the case of the health and safety rep is particularly outrageous. 

"Nobody was sacked at George Monoux College for more than 20 years before the advent of Paolo Ramella.

"He and the leading governors need to think about the damage being done to the image of the college by continual industrial disputes and comic opera goings on the board of governors.

"Unless they are prepared to negotiate and compromise more conflict is inevitable."

The health and safety rep, a former ICT technology teacher, was dismissed in 2012 but reinstated in 2013 and then sacked on December 24. 

She told the Guardian in March she felt "bullied and harassed" after returning to Sir George Monoux College.  

Mr Ramella defended the dismissals and said he was "saddened" by the strike action at "such a vital stage for students, with exams now underway."