Thousands of teachers in southern England and Wales have gone on strike for the third time in a row over pay. Members of the National Education Union (NEU) witnessed teacher strikes in northern England on Tuesday and the Midlands and eastern regions of England on Wednesday. The NEU estimates that approximately 200,000 members will strike over three days this week, with the "majority of schools" expected to either restrict access to students or completely close. A poll by Ipsos suggests that three in five (60%) parents and guardians back teachers taking strike action, but many (43%) are worried about their children catching up on work missed because of the walkouts.
Picket lines will be set up outside schools in London, the south east and south west of England, as well as Wales, on Thursday, with rallies planned in Cardiff, Chichester, Bristol, and Plymouth." While no teacher wants to be on strike, we are grateful for the support of parents and do not take it for granted," said Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU. "Many people have firsthand knowledge of the issues confronting schools and colleges, as well as their children's teachers. "They don't need convincing that there is disruption every day of the school year as a result of the government's poor decision-making and short-sighted educational policies." Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, invited the teaching unions to "formal talks on pay, conditions, and reform" last week in exchange for the suspension of this week's walkouts. The union's decision not to suspend the regional strikes has been described as "hugely disappointing" by Keegan. Further national strikes by NEU members are planned for March 15 and 16 in England and Wales. "We urge Gillian Keegan to start negotiating with the profession to ensure we have a resolution for the sake of teachers and children's education," Dr Bousted said on the third day of regional strikes this week. “The Government’s continued stonewalling of talks will not improve their standing among parents and the general public. “We need to see a substantive offer that will address the issues which are eroding this essential public service.” "This week's rolling series of strikes is posing additional challenges for school leaders," said Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL).
"While they will draw on their experiences from last month's industrial action, in many cases they will not know the exact number of staff taking part in the strike until the day itself. "Leaders have been planning provision for students according to expected staffing levels and in many cases this will translate to onsite provision for vulnerable pupils, and as many year groups as can be safely accommodated, with remote learning for others. "While they do their best to manage the situation, there will inevitably be disruption to education." "The Government must reconvene talks with unions as soon as possible and make a serious offer that addresses the long-running concerns about pay and conditions that have resulted in an education recruitment and retention crisis," he added. "Any further delay risks further strikes and disruption to education, which we simply cannot afford." Meanwhile, Amazon employees at one of the company's warehouses in Coventry will strike again on Thursday, as a wave of industrial action sweeps the UK. According to the GMB, more than 350 workers at the center are expected to strike over pay.
By Covenantblog
