Teachers' strike set to hit thousands of schools
TEACHERS are planning a national walkout this autumn, potentially closing thousands of schools, amid a deepening row over pay, pensions and workload.
Two teaching unions yesterday announced a rolling programme of strikes, which will begin in the North West on June 27.
More are set to follow in the autumn term, with the stage set for a national strike before Christmas.
The action would affect most schools across England and Wales at some point in the next few months.
£3 Off Instant Passport / ID Photos - Fully Guaranteed Service
View detailsDon't trust the photo booths? Get set for your Summer Holidays with J&A Cameras. We are offering £3 Off our Passport Office Approved Instore Passport Photo Service so come in and get it done properly!
Terms: Instant passport photos guaranteed to be correct with the passport office, or we will re-take them for free. No refunds will be given as an alternative.
Contact: 01271 447066
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
The move, announced by England's two biggest teaching unions, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the NASUWT, is an escalation of a continuing dispute with the Government.
A spokesman for the Department for Education said it was "very disappointed" the unions had decided to strike.
Both unions have already been taking part in industrial action, short of stoppages, but NUT general secretary Christine Blower insisted that they have had no engagement by Education Secretary Michael Gove over the dispute.
She said: "We have decided we must make an announcement that we will move to strike action in a bid to get the Secretary of State to listen seriously, and to seek to achieve a resolution in this dispute."
She said that strikes will begin on June 27 in schools in the North West.
"There will be further action in the autumn and a national strike to be called before Christmas."
There will also be a series of rallies in England and Wales, Ms Blower said.
The unions have put a new list of demands to Mr Gove.
It calls for him to suspend the introduction of performance-related pay, due to be brought in later this year, and to publish an evaluation of the Teachers' Pension Scheme.
The unions also want Mr Gove to "commit to genuine engagement" by setting up a series of meetings to discuss the dispute.
NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates said: "We have three very reasonable demands that we are making to the Secretary of State that can stop disruption to schools from June onwards."
She added: "The time has come for the Secretary of State to listen to the concerns of teachers and school leaders.
"He has recklessly pursued a relentless attack on the profession and teachers' patience has been exhausted."
The last time the unions took part in a national walkout was in November 2011 as part of a wider public sector strike over pensions.
Comments
by Foldart
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 10:17AM
“The Lefties are on the move. Setting a good example to their pupils.”