Teachers to strike in row over pay
SCHOOLS in Bristol and surrounding areas could be hit by teacher strikes in the autumn.
The two biggest teaching unions have announced a "rolling programme" of strikes, hitting different areas of the country at different times.
-
A previous teachers' strike
The action is being planned as part of a continuing row over pay, pensions and workloads. And it could lead to a national walkout by the end of the year.
The industrial action will start in the summer term, the National Union of Teachers and NASUWT announced yesterday.
This week's delicious £5 5 O'CLOCKTAIL is a refreshing Tequila Sunrise. Available everyday from our Bar for only £5 between 5pm & 7pm.
Terms: £5 cocktail applies to the cocktail of the week.
Contact: 0117 2448281
Valid until: Monday, May 27 2013
The first strikes would be staged in the North West in June, with other regions following later in the year.
In a joint statement released yesterday, the unions said they had been taking action short of strikes for many months but unless the government responded positively to their demands, "a rolling programme of strike action will continue into the autumn term and will include a one day all-out national strike before the end of the autumn term".
Between them the two unions represent nine out of ten teachers.
Sharon Anderson, divisional secretary of the NUT for the Bristol region, told The Post: "We currently have provisional plans in the pipeline to join a rally with other unions in April, but we may delay this to attend a more full rally in the summer, where we can demonstrate against both pay and workload.
"This issue has been ongoing for a long time and the Government still hasn't met our conditions.
"Many teachers have been asking when a strike will take place – it may be the only way forward."
A Bristol City Council spokeswoman said: "If there is national strike action we would consider working with schools to help keep parents up to date with any closure arrangements."
A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said: "If the industrial action takes place it will affect schools across the country, but the impact will vary depending upon the number of teachers taking part in the strike at each individual school.
"There are more than 1,000 NUT and NASUWT members in South Gloucestershire's schools, so if any industrial action does take place there will inevitably be some disruption. As the first strike action is planned for the North West in late June, and as this is a rolling programme leading up to Christmas, it is unclear when South Gloucestershire schools will be affected.
"The proposed action relates to national issues and, as yet, there have been no local discussions.
"Decisions on closure or the exclusion of selected pupil groups will be taken at school level having regard to the expected number of teachers involved and the practicality or otherwise of providing adequate and safe provision for pupils on that day.
"Schools will make appropriate arrangements to notify parents, carers and pupils of any implications of the strike action when this is known."
No one from North Somerset Council was available for comment.
26 Comments
View all
by Brandon_Hill
Thursday, March 21 2013, 12:01AM
“"Firstly you have referred to The Guardian which says a lot"
enlighten me.. what does the guardian mean to you?”
by Bristolexpat
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 7:07PM
“Firstly you have referred to The Guardian which says a lot...
Secondly are you seriously suggestion reducing tax from FIFTY PER CENT is somehow a favour?
Of course it will mean less tax paid by these people but 50% was an absolute insanity in the first place!
Would you be happy paying 50% tax?
I'd prefer to see a single tax rate, for everyone across the board. Would that be fair?
But then the Government wouldn't have so much in central funds as its these so called "Fat Cats" that you despise so much who actually contribute the most....”
by Brandon_Hill
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 3:08PM
“Oh denier - Fingers in your ears time!!!
It doesn't take a lot to find out how this government favours the rich..
Here's just the third result of thousands from a google search:
http://tinyurl.com/cf2ddks”
by whippetslick
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 3:03PM
“Teaching is a highly insular vocation - they always feel they are getting an unfair deal.
What else would they have to moan about for 3 hours a day sitting in the staff room?
Why should they be paid more than a policeman, or a nurse.
They don't work weekends, or even work shifts.
The majority of teaching 'professional's' have no idea about the realities of day to day life in the big outside world.
Teaching is essentially the same as being a student, only better paid with more holiday's and no exams to pass.”
by Bristolexpat
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 2:50PM
“@Brandon Hill
That's a fairly standard response, shouted out by the likes of yourselves and others whenever the talk is of cuts, recession, etc etc.
Do any of you know what you are talking about?
Does anyone even know what the "fat cats" and "big corps" are so say getting handed to them on a so called plate?”
by Brandon_Hill
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 1:55PM
“Thankfully the current Government is not dishing out cash left, right and centre"
Unless you're rich or a big corp.. Plenty of cash boosts there!”
by Bristolexpat
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 12:17PM
“"Bristol expat, would you strike on a weekend? or when you're on annual leave?"
I wouldnt strike full stop.
I agreed to my salary, working hours, conditions etc when I took the job.
Should my current employer ever attempt to force additional work on me then we reach an agreement for them to compensate me accordingly or they are told to do one.
If I dont like what I'm doing I look for another job.
In this current climate being a Teacher really isnt such a bad deal.
We could all do with more?
There are over 6m workers in the public sector, maybe we can give them all a pay rise?
But that was be Labours way..........they created enough public sector jobs after all.
Thankfully the current Government is not dishing out cash left, right and centre.....”
by NobbyNoob
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 12:07PM
“£23K STARTING salary isnt bad at all for a newly qualified graduate.
In fact the average full time salary is only about 5-6k a year more than that.
If an experienced teacher can earn 56k that would be almost double the national average, and I would think most teachers would come in around 35-40k after a few years on the job.
All jobs are vital to the country, if the private sector didnt create any wealth then we really would be up sh*t creek.
Seems to me that when all men are equal, some think they are more equal than others.”
by Brandon_Hill
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 11:35AM
“AGAIN.....those who work structured 9-5 jobs don't always understand how demanding teaching is..”
by Brandon_Hill
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 11:31AM
“Bristol expat, would you strike on a weekend? or when you're on annual leave?”