Teachers strike over Gove ‘intransigence’

The unions said Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, “refuses to listen” to teachers.

The NASUWTand NUT said “the continued refusal of the Secretary of State to genuinely engage” over the profession’s concerns is the reason for the industrial action.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:

“The Secretary of State needs to take seriously the very deep concerns and anger of teachers and school leaders.

“The relentless attack on the teaching profession is damaging the morale of teachers and undermining the education of pupils.

“The Secretary of State has the opportunity to avoid further national strike action by demonstrating that he is willing to engage seriously on the issues that we have put to him.”

There will be an escalation of action.

First, national rallies in September, then a second phase of rolling national strike action in the week beginning 30 September.

There will be a third phase of rolling national strike action beginning 14 October and then one-day, all-out national strike before the end of the Autumn term.

This follows on from the day of strike action taken on 27 June in the North West of England which resulted in the overwhelming majority of schools being closed or partially closed.

The unions said there was “huge support for the strike” and a clear indication that the teaching profession “has had enough”.