On Wednesday 15th March, the date of the Chancellor’s Spring Budget, members of the National Education Union (NEU) in England will begin two consecutive days of strike action as part of our campaign to win a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise.
Parallel strike action in Wales has been called off on those two days in order that members can consider new proposals from the Welsh Government.
Isle of Wight members
Isle of Wight members will join the all-England national demonstration in London, culminating in a rally at Trafalgar Square. This is the focal point for the first day of action this week.
It is expected around 50 Island teachers will travel for the event:
- 12.00 noon: assemble Park Lane
- 12.30 pm: march sets off from Upper Grosvenor Street junction towards Hyde Park Corner via Piccadilly and Haymarket (See the route).
- 1.15 pm: march arrives at Trafalgar Square; speeches start around 1.30pm.
Speakers will include Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney of the NEU, Paul Nowak of TUC, and representatives of the RMT, BMA, and Green Party amongst others.
Shreeve: Staff from different schools working together
Commenting on the national demonstration, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said,
“Even those who remain at work, along with pupils and parents overwhelming understand the need for action. During the first two days of action, stories of each individual’s working reality were shared. Staff from different schools working together reminds me of how it was, when I arrived here in 1999. An education system full of cooperation, collaboration and aspiration.
“Despite an exhausting five-hour journey each way, separated by a four-hour walk and a rally, teachers are looking forward to sharing their local issues with teachers from other parts of the country.”
Shreeve: Why can’t the England Government outline a similar increase?
Mr Shreeve went on to add,
“However, there is much incredulity about what is happening. Many feel that this week’s action could have been called off, if only teachers were offered a pay deal similar to that struck in Scotland, where teachers accepted a 7 per cent wage hike backdated to April, another 5 per cent next month and 2 per cent in January.
“Strikes planned for this week in Wales were halted too after the Welsh Government outlined an 8 per cent increase for 2022-23.
“Why can’t the England Government outline a similar increase? Or will teachers in England soon become the poor relations of teachers in Wales and Scotland and encourage many to cross the border in search of better paid work?
“In addition, the Education Secretary has stressed strikes need to be called off before talks can begin. How can they be called off, without an offer to discuss?
“Teachers do not want to go on strike – they want to be in the classroom, teaching and supporting youngsters. We regret this week’s action, but we know that parents and the public understand the gravity of the situation around school funding and teacher recruitment and retention.
“The NEU awaits a reasonable offer from Government. Action can be paused while the offer is put to members. This is exactly what happened last week in Wales. Gillian Keegan needs to take a leaf out of the Welsh Government’s book, stop playing politics and get down to serious negotiation.”
News shared by Peter on behalf of the NEU. Ed
Image: © NEU
