Teachers at St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic High School in Rochdale, attended by Oldham students, will strike for nine days over workload, pupil behaviour, and alleged unsafe working conditions. NASUWT members began industrial action on February 24, with the school closing to Years 7-10 pupils while Year 11 students attend for mock exams. The trust running the school claims it has addressed concerns and will continue dialogue, while the union says staff feel unsafe and pupils are being failed. Strikes are scheduled in three rounds through March 12.
The Tandle Hill Tavern, a pub near Oldham on Thornham Lane, has issued a public statement defending its staff against 'rude' and 'intimidating' customers. The pub addressed complaints about muddy floors, explaining that 98% of customers bring mud in from the surrounding countryside. They also responded to a one-star Google review about a pre-booked table that was originally for two people but was booked on their busiest day. The pub clarified they can only seat 35 people in the main room and 10 in the snug area, and that dogs are welcome with healthy treats available. The statement emphasized they are 'not the Ritz' but a 'proper old fashioned British pub' and that 'it's not to everyone's taste and that's ok.'