Teachers in Bucks, Beds, and Herts to go on strike in February and March
121,000 members of the National Education Union voted in favour of industrial action
Teachers across Bucks, Beds, and Herts have voted to go on strike in February and March.
121,000 members of the National Education Union voted in favour of industrial action.
This equating to 90% of NEU members who voted in the ballot.
It's been primarily triggered by dispute that centres around pay.
There'll be seven days of walkouts in total, with the first being on February 1st.
It means that children's lessons will likely be disrupted with some schools having to close altogether.
"Teachers are facing the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation."
Here's what the union had to say:
"Teachers are facing the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. Members tell us they are struggling with energy costs and childcare and many are now worried about mortgage payments and how they will cover the rent. While bills are soaring the only thing that seems to be going down is the value of our pay.
"In July, the Government offered most teachers a 5 per cent pay rise – in reality a 7 per cent pay cut due to the soaring level of inflation. To add insult to injury the pay offer is not fully funded. Add to this a decline of more than 20 per cent in real terms pay for teachers over the past decade and educators are leaving the profession in their droves.
"One in eight teachers leaves the profession after just a year in the classroom – one in three within five. Parents know that teacher shortages are harming education and poor pay is driving teachers away from their children’s schools. Our polling shows they support teachers taking action to protect education standards."
What has the Government said?
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said:
“We would continue to call on teachers not to strike given we know what substantial damage was caused to children’s education during the pandemic and it’s certainly not something we want to see repeated.
“We would hope they would continue to discuss with us their concerns rather than withdraw education from children.”