Why are Teachers Striking?
When sending children to school over the next few weeks, you may be concerned about the NEU walkouts. Here's some information about why the strikes are happening and what you can expect.
This is the largest walkout seen in Britain for over a decade.
So why is it happening?
What the Strikes Hope to Achieve
Today marks the first of seven National Education Union (NEU) strikes. Across Britain, including Scotland and Wales, over 100,000 teachers are expected to take part in the strikes over the next two months. Those in the union have the option to strike and only have to give notice to schools on the morning of the strike.
The strikes, in light of the Cost of Living Crisis, are aimed to advocate for fairer wages and to consequently increased interest from workers in the education industry. Gaps in the education industry are felt by the NEU to be a product of better career prospects outside of the education industry. The NEU is demanding a fully funded, above inflation pay rise for state support staff (source: National Education Union: National Education Union | NEU).
The NEU is calling for the following eligible parties to take part in the strike:
- Teachers at Sixth Form Colleges
- Teachers at state-funded schools and academies (in England)
- Support staff and teachers at state-funded schools (in Wales)
The NEU has scheduled walkouts in England on the following days:
- Wednesday, February 1
- Tuesday, 28 February (Northern, North West, and Yorkshire Humber regions)
- Wednesday, 1 March (East Midlands, Western, Eastern regions)
- Thursday, 2 March (London, South East, South West regions)
- Wednesday, 15 March
- Thursday, 16 March
Your school will likely communicate with you about how or if your school is effected by the strike action.
The NEU will also be hosting organised activities such as lobbying and demonstrations. Teachers and affected staff are actively invited to take part in these activities.
