NASUWT and NUT confirm next phase of industrial action

NASUWT

The two largest teacher unions, the NASUWT and the NUT, representing nine out of ten teachers, are today confirming the next phase of their jointly coordinated campaign to Protect Teachers and Defend Education.

Following the continued refusal of the Secretary of State to genuinely engage with the NUT and the NASUWT to seek to resolve our trade disputes with him, plans are in place for the next stage of industrial action which will include

1st October – strike action in the Eastern, East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside regions

17th October – strike action in North East, London, South East and South West regions

On the strike days teachers will be attending a series of regional rallies to demonstrate their anger, frustration and concern.

This action follows the successful strike action taken in the North West of England on the 27 June in which thousands of teachers took part.

In contrast to the Secretary of State, the Welsh Government has been prepared to engage in constructive talks to seek to avoid the escalation of the rolling programme of strike action in Wales. A further announcement will be made on the situation in Wales in due course.

Plans are also in place for a one-day, all-out national strike before the end of the Autumn term.

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said:

“At the start of the new academic year, the last thing teachers wish to be doing is preparing for further industrial action. It is a great shame that the Education Secretary has let things get to this stage.

“With pay pensions and working conditions being systematically attacked and an Education Secretary who refuses to listen or negotiate teachers now however have no other choice.

“Michael Gove has demoralised an entire profession, it is time that he started to listen for the sake of teachers, pupils and education.”

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:

“The attacks on teachers are relentless.

“The reward for their hard work, dedication and commitment has been a vicious assault on their pay, conditions and professionalism.

“Teachers will be angered by the recklessness of the Secretary of State’s continuing failure to take seriously their concerns and engage in genuine discussions to address them.”