London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Mar 20, 2023

Teachers prepare to strike in England and Wales

Teachers prepare to strike in England and Wales

Teachers in England and Wales are preparing to walk out over pay, in the first national strikes since 2016.

More than 100,000 could strike on Wednesday, the National Education Union has said - along with university staff, civil servants, train and bus drivers.

The education secretary said the teachers' strike meant "huge uncertainty for parents".

Some schools may not decide until the morning whether to close, as it depends on how many staff join the strike.

About 500,000 workers are due to take part in walkouts across a range of sectors, making it the biggest strike in more than a decade, according to the Trades Union Congress.

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said the strike would have a "significant impact on children's education".

But Schools Minister Nick Gibb later said he expected the "majority" of schools to be open in some capacity.

Downing Street said mass action would cause "significant disruption".

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner accused Rishi Sunak of "weak leadership" and urged him to come to the negotiating table to sort out the "chaos".

"The Tories are in charge, and they have not only failed to find a solution to industrial action but deliberately stoked conflict," she said.

In Wales, striking teachers will be joined by support staff, while members of the National Association of Head Teachers begin action short of a strike.

Teachers are also striking in two parts of Scotland - Clackmannanshire and Aberdeen - as part of rolling industrial action.

Year 5 teacher Helen Butler will be joining a picket line in Portsmouth for the first time in her 26-year career. She has voted against strike action in the past - but this time feels different.

"We've got some teachers now that are going to food banks," she said, adding her salary had fallen in real terms over a decade.

Ms Butler said she loved her school, where she is an NEU representative, but there were insufficient resources and her workload had increased.

"We're given 10 glue sticks for a class of 30, because it's expensive. I've ended up buying my own," she said.

"I do not know one teacher who doesn't work in their holidays.

"What other job expects you to work in your holidays?"


Taking exams


Most state-school teachers in England and Wales had a 5% pay rise in 2022. But inflation means this is actually a cut, unions say. And they want to make sure it is not paid for out of school budgets.

Wednesday will be the first of seven national and regional NEU strike dates.

Schools have been advised to open for vulnerable pupils, key workers' children and those taking exams.

Some will open for certain classes only.

Children may be set work to do remotely - but striking teachers are not required to do so.

Paula Arnold, who works in a law firm in Poole, said she would not find out until Wednesday morning whether her daughters' schools would open.

Paula Arnold feels lucky to have a supportive employer


"I don't know whether I'm going to be in or out [of the office] or working from home or unable to work," she said. And working from home with children was not easy - especially if they were not set work.

"I'd like to say my kids are angels," she laughed. "Children are children. They need feeding. I don't want to just... put them in front of devices and crack on."

Ms Arnold said she wanted to stay supportive of striking teachers but needed more certainty to plan childcare.

"I end up just pulling my hair out because it's just tricky trying to juggle everything," she said.

Sam Done, the principal of Hillcrest Academy primary school, in Leeds, is unsure how many staff will be working and how many pupils could be accommodated.

"We will have to wait and see what happens, right up until the 11th hour almost, on the night before and the morning of industrial action," he said.

Schools in England will each see four days of strike action:

*  three national days

*  one affecting their region

Just over 53% of teachers in the NEU in England voted in its ballot - 90% of them supported a strike.

A secondary-school teacher in Cambridgeshire, who asked not to be named, said she understood why her colleagues were striking but she could not afford to lose the pay.

"Morally, it just doesn't sit right with me," she added.

"The kids have suffered so much through Covid and I just feel like striking and them missing another four days of school is not going to help anybody. They're already so far behind."

Teachers have already been on a national strike in Scotland - and action is continuing on a rolling basis. Most teachers in Northern Ireland will walk out for half a day on 21 February.

Teachers join a wave of public sector workers striking over pay and conditions.

Workers represented by seven different unions across the UK will strike on Wednesday.

They include:

*  Civil servants across 124 government departments

*  Rail workers at 15 different companies

*  Some London bus drivers

*  Lecturers, librarians and other university workers

Earlier, the Unison union announced its members in five ambulance services in England will strike on Friday of next week, as part of a dispute about pay and conditions.

The walkout will affect London, Yorkshire, the South West, North East and North West.

Unison also says its members at the Environment Agency will join members of the Prospect union in striking for 12 hours next Wednesday. The action will include workers in flood forecasting and pollution control.


Watch: What do the teachers' strikes in England and Wales mean for parents?


Newsletter

Related Articles

London Daily
Close
0:00
0:00
Home Secretary Suella Braverman tours potential migrant housing in Rwanda as asylum deal remains mired in legal challenges
You're Beautiful - James Blunt (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Goldman Sachs cuts outlook for European bank debt over Credit Suisse crisis
You Are So Beautiful
Paris Rioting vs Macron anti democratic law
Postmodern Jukebox European Tour Version
'Sexual Fantasy' Assignment At US School Outrages Parents
An old French tune (by Georges Brassens) Pomplamoose ft. John Schroeder
Orbán Viktor: the restructuring of the power relations in the whole of Europe is taking place
Sattahip Motor Show 20
Credit Suisse to borrow $54 billion from Swiss central bank
SONATE AU CLAIR DE LUNE - Moonlight sonata
The BBC problem about China
A kiss to build a dream on
Strikes-Hit UK Pledges 94 Billion Euros In Cost-Of-Living Budget
Wiz Khalifa - See You Again ft. Charlie Puth, Furious
Russian Hackers Preparing New Cyber Assault Against Ukraine
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
"Will Fly Wherever International Law Allows": US Warns Russia After Drone Incident
Mean Blues
UK face biggest fall in spending power for 70 years
La Chansonnette
Jeremy Hunt insists his Budget will get young parents and over-50s back into work
Pattaya Addicts
If this was in Tehran, Moscow or Hong Kong
Franz Liszt - Liebestraum - Love Dream
Announcing GPT-4
Dream a little dream of me
TRUMP: "Standing before you today, I am the only candidate who can make this promise: I will prevent World War III."
Tu Vuo' Fa' L'Americano - Hetty & the Jazzato Band
Drew Barrymore
Unchained Melody sung like you've NEVER heard!
China is calling out the US, UK, and Australia on their submarine pact, claiming they are going further down a dangerous road
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
A brief banking situation report
Édith Piaf - Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (Sofie)
We are witnessing widespread bank fails and the president just gave a 5 min speech then walked off camera.
Rondo Alla Turca
Donald Trump's asked by Tucker Carlson question on if the U.S. should support regime change in Russia?.
Kiss of fire
'No relation to the American SVB': India's SVC Bank acts to calm depositors amid brand name confusion.
Ed Sheeran - Perfect (Amadeus violin cover instrumental)
Good news: The U.S. government is now guaranteeing all deposits, held by, Silicon Valley Bank, and the funds are available as of today
Tom Jones - I´ll Never Fall In Love Again 1967, 1989, 2001
Silicon Valley Bank exec was Lehman Brothers CFO
Israel Cachao López - Guajira Clásica
In a potential last-ditch effort, HSBC is considering a rescue deal to save Silicon Valley Bank UK from insolvency
Edward Maya - Stereo Love (feat. Vika Jigulina) (Extended Mix)
Saudi Arabia has announced a major breakthrough in diplomacy with Iran after two years of intense talks
Strauss - Radetzky March - Karajan
BBC Director General, Tim Davie, has apologized, but not resigned, yet, following the disruption of sports programmes over the weekend
La vie en rose
A Mississippian man, who was once considered a “ticking time bomb,” has lost a whopping 165 kilograms! What motivated this incredible transformation?
Despacito (Piano Cover) - Peter Bence
Elon Musk Is Planning To Build A Town In Texas For His Employees
The Temptations - My Girl (Smokey Robinson Tribute) 2006 Kennedy Cent
The Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse effect is spreading around the world, affecting startup companies across the globe
Orlando Cachaito Lopez Redencion
City officials in Berlin announced on Thursday that all swimmers at public pools will soon be allowed to swim topless
Edith Piaf - NON, JE NE REGRETTE RIEN
Fitness scam
RADETZKY MARCH-2008-Wien, New Year Concert
Market Chaos as USDC Loses Peg to USD after $3.3 Billion Reserves Held by Silicon Valley Bank Closed.
Only you (And you alone)
A primitive judge in Australia sparked outrage when he told a breastfeeding woman to leave his courtroom for being “a distraction"
Beautiful in White x Canon in D (Piano Cover by Riyandi Kusuma)
Barcelona is feeling the heat as they face corruption charges over payments to former vice-president of Spain's referees' committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira
Strangers In The Night
Banking regulators close SVB, the largest bank failure since the financial crisis
Charles Aznavour - La Boheme
Watch: “They are wounded but unbowed, unbreakable.”
Summer time
Silicon Valley Bank: Struggles Threaten Tech Startup Ecosystem"
Sting and Stevie Wonder - Fragile (from Sting's 60th birthday concert)
The unelected UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, an immigrant himself, defends new controversial crackdown on illegal migration
Aux Champs Elysees
Old clip of Bill Gates saying Ukraine is a big, fat, corrupt sinkhole is going viral
Stand By Me - Ben E. King (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Man’s penis amputated by mistake after he’s wrongly diagnosed with a tumour
La Mer (Beyond the Sea) – Avalon Jazz Band
Motorist fined £650 after council ‘paints disabled bay around his car
She
Brexit Deal Falls Short: UK Regains Few Pre-Brexit Benefits
Nathalie Song by Enzo Petrachi Stjepan Hauser Cello
In a major snub to Downing Street's Silicon Valley dreams, UK chip giant Arm has dealt a serious blow to the government's economic strategy by opting for a US listing
Shape of My Heart - Sting (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Brexit is done (sort of), again
Radiohead - Creep
JP Morgan Becomes First Bank to Predict UK Will Avoid Recession
Quizás,Quizás,Quizás - Andrea Bocelli - Jennifer Lopez
JP Morgan Becomes First Bank to Predict UK Will Avoid Recession
Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps - Multi-Couples
JPMorgan has become the first City of London forecaster to predict that Britain will stay out of recession in 2023
Pentatonix Havana
How do stolen goods end up on Amazon, eBay and Facebook Marketplace?
Paula Cole - Autumn Leaves
It's the question on everyone's lips: could a four-day workweek be the future of employment?
Oscar Benton Bensonhurst Blues
Is Gold the Ultimate Safe Haven Asset in Times of Uncertainty?
OH NANANA vs ABUSADAMENTE
Nina Simone - ”I Put A Spell On You”. Vezi aici cum cântă Jeremy Ragsd
NIGHTWISH - The Phantom Of The Opera
Motorshow 2016 Tanjay Negros Oriental
Monica Bellucci - Ti Amo
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Milena The Voice France 2018
Michael Buble (Help Me Make It Through The Night) feat Loren Allred
Memories Canon In D - Maroon 5 (Boyce Avenue piano acoustic cover)
Matteo Simoni - Marina
Maroon 5 - One More Night
Maroon 5 - Memories
Mark Knopfler - Brothers In Arms (Berlin 2007 Live)
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - Romeo And Juliet (Real Live Roadrunni
Marina, Marina - The LUCKY DUCKIES intimist live concert at Guimarães
Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On Mauranne The Voice France 2016
Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet - Joslin - Henri Mancini, Nino Rota
LoLa & Hauser - Love Story
Linkin Park Jay-Z - Numb Encore (Live 8 2005)
Hallelujah Mennel Ibtissem, The Voice France Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen - Dance Me to the End of Love
Leonard Cohen & Natasha Rostova - Dance me to the end of love
La casa de papel - Bella Ciao
La Camisa Negra
L'italiano (Toto Cutugno) - The Gypsy Queens
Juanes - La Camisa Negra
Jonathan and Charlotte - Britain's Got Talent 2012 Live Semi Final - U
John Powell - Assassin's Tango
Joe Cocker - You Can Leave Your Hat On (LIVE in Dortmund)
Joe Cocker - Unchain My Heart 2002 Live
Joe Cocker - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Jay Z & Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind LIVE
Jason Mraz - Im Yours (live)
Jarrod Radnich - Bohemian Rhapsody - Virtuosic Piano Solo
James Blunt - You're Beautiful
James Blunt - You're Beautiful & Bonfire Heart (Live at The Nobel Peac)
If You Go Away - Helen Merrill & Stan Getz (Tribute to Virna Lisi)
I'LL BE MISSING YOU
I Say a Little Prayer
Hotel California ( Eagles ) 1994 Live
Historia de un amor - Luz Casal. Vezi interpretarea Biancăi Sumanariu
Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover) on Spot
Heart - Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin - Kennedy Center Honors
HAVANA by Camila Cabello Zumba Pre Cooldown TML Crew Kramer Pastra
HAUSER and Señorita - I Will Always Love You
HAUSER - Waka Waka
HAUSER - Sway
HAUSER - Lambada
HAUSER - Historia de un Amor
HAUSER - Despacito
Great Pretender
Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice Samba to 'Volare' - Strictly Come
Gary Moore - Still Got The Blues
GIPSY KINGS VOLARE Penelope Cruz
Fugees - Killing Me Softly With His Song
French Latino - Historia de un Amor
For A Few Dollars More The Danish National Symphony Orchestra (Live)
Flashdance • What a Feeling • Irene Cara
Filip Rudan - “Someone You Loved” Audicija 4 The Voice Hrvatska Sez
Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight
Enya - Only Time
Enrique Iglesias - Bailando (English Version) ft. Sean Paul
Enrique Iglesias - Bailamos
Elena Yerevan Historia de un amor
Ed Sheeran - Shape of You (Official Music Video)
Ed Sheeran - Perfect Symphony [with Andrea Bocelli]
Ed Sheeran - Perfect (Official Music Video)
Easy On Me - Adele (Boyce Avenue 90’s style piano acoustic cover) on S
ERA - Ameno
ELENA YEREVAN- Cancion Del Mariachi-IN STUDIO-2017 DPR
Dust In The Wind - Kansas (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Despacito x Shape Of You - Pentatonix
Deep Purple - Child In Time - Live (1970)
David Foster When A Man Loves A WomanIt's A Mans World (SealMichael Bo
Dance me to the end of Love ( Pi-Air Design )
Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise (feat. L.V.) [Official Music Video]
Conquest Of Paradise (Vangelis), played on Böhm Emporio organ
Cielito Lindo
Chico & The Gypsies - Bamboleo
Canción Del Mariachi - Antonio Banderas, Los Lobos • Desperado
Camila Cabello - Havana (Audio) ft. Young Thug
Camila Cabello - Havana ( cover by J.Fla )
California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas José Feliciano (Boyce Ave
Buster Benton - Money Is The Name of The Game
Hallelujah Pentatonix
Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy (Official Music Video)
Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door Emilia The Voice Kids France
Besame Mucho - Cesaria Evora
Ben E. King - Stand by Me Sax Cover Alexandra Ilieva Thomann
Bella Ciao
Bella Ciao - INSTRUMENTAL
Beautiful in White x Canon in D (Piano Cover by Riyandi Kusuma)
Bad Romance - Vintage 1920's Gatsby Style Lady Gaga Cover ft. Ariana Savalas & Sarah Reich(1)
BELLA CIAO 2020 - KARAOKE ITALIANO
BAMBOLEO - Gipsy Kings • Antonio Banderas, Katya Virshilas
BAILANDO (original)
Awesome Ukrainian yodeler - SOFIA SHKIDCHENKO (with English subtitles)
Avicii - The Nights
Atom - The Great Gig in the Sky
Aretha Franklin - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Official Ly
Antonio Banderas - Cancion del Mariachi (Desperado)
André Rieu - Zorba's Dance (Sirtaki)
André Rieu - Can't Help Falling In Love
André Rieu & Mirusia - Ave Maria
Andrew Reyes Elton John - Don't Let The Sun Go Down The Voice 2020 (
Andreas Kümmert Whiter Shade Of Pale The Voice of Germany 2013 Showd
And I Love You So
All About That Bass - Postmodern Jukebox European Tour Version
Alan Walker - Faded (Piano Cover)
Ain't No Sunshine -- Bill Withers (cover by Canen 12 y.o.)
African music
Adriana Vidović - “Creep” Audicija 4 The Voice Hrvatska Sezona 3
Adriana Vidović - “Believer” Nokaut 3 The Voice Hrvatska Sezona 3
A Fistful of Dollars - The Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Tuva
4 Beautiful Soundtracks Relaxing Piano [10min]
2CELLOS - Whole Lotta Love vs. Beethoven 5th Symphony [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
2CELLOS - Smooth Criminal (Live at Suntory Hall, Tokyo)
2CELLOS - Smells Like Teen Spirit [Live at Sydney Opera House]
2CELLOS - Despacito [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
13 Year Old Girl Playing Il Silenzio (The Silence) - André Rieu
094.All About That Bass
00 - SADNESS PART 1
(Ghost) Riders In the Sky (American Outlaws Live at Nassau Coliseum, 1
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams (Boyce Avenue ft. Conn
What a wonderful world
Moon river
×