Teachers on the Isle of Wight joined colleagues across the country on Tuesday in strike action for fairer pay.
Commenting on the strike action by NEU members, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, told News OnTheWight,
“It is with regret that so many NEU teachers on the Isle of Wight have had to take another day of strike action over the issue of a fully-funded pay increase.
“Gillian Keegan needs to come forward with a better pay and funding offer if she is to avert further strikes. This is irresponsible in the extreme and is a complete failure by the education secretary and Government to recognise the damage they are doing to education.”
MP promised to find out why ACAS not engaged by Minister
Mr Shreeve went on to say,
“What has Gillian Keegan as Education Secretary achieved this month to find a resolution? One way forward would be to engage an organisation, which endeavours to resolve work-related disputes and promote harmony, namely the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).
“However, this offer has not been taken up and we don’t know why. Last Friday, we asked our MP for clarity during his Whitwell surgery. He didn’t know, but promised to contact Gillian Keegan to find out.”
Co-ordinated action in the autumn term
Mr Shreeve finished by adding,
“98 per cent of NEU members rejected her pay and funding offer on a two-thirds turnout. There are now four education unions, who will now carry out ballots this summer term with a view to co-ordinated action in the autumn term.
“Gillian Keegan needs to accept the role and responsibility she has as Education Secretary and restart negotiations. To abandon genuine interaction is baffling. Research finds humans are far more likely to experience gnawing feelings of regret for things not done (inaction) than mistakes made along the way (actions).
“Government inaction is deplorable and will be regretted. The Education Secretary may think: Regrets I’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention. Education staff strongly believe: It won’t work out doing it her way!”
Image: Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary wearing a shirt made by retired support staff member out of recycled flags with staff from the Bay senior school
