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24/04/2008
School's Out As Teachers Strike
Schools across England and Wales will have their gates shut today as the National Union of Teachers (NUT) calls strike action.
In a move that Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called "regrettable", more than 8,000 schools are closed or will face disruption as teachers walk out for the first time in about 20 years.
Schools in Leeds, Manchester, Cumbria, Nottinghamshire and inner London will all suffer from the action.
Teachers are demanding a 4.1% pay increase rather than the 2.45% currently on the table.
Acting General Secretary of the NUT, Christine Blower commented: "Teachers do not take the decision to strike easily, or lightly, but teachers' patience has been stretched to the limit.
"The Retail Price Index, which features on Government websites as the figure used for pay bargaining, is currently running at a yearly average of 4.1%. The current pay offer of 2,45% is well below that and can be seen in no other way than as a pay cut."
John Ransford from the Local Government Association believes the strike action is unwarranted saying "in the past teachers have not had brilliant pay settlements but in terms of the average they've been above average".
Mr Ransford added that teaching is "a well paid, well resourced profession".
Junior Schools Minister Jim Knight said parents would be "frustrated" by strike. Mr Knight commented: "Their pay has gone up by 19% in real terms since 1997 and that at 2.45% they're getting more than the 2% benchmark for public sector pay last year."
Sally Low, Director of Policy and External Relations at the British Chamber of Commerce said: "The strike is going to cause disruption far beyond the classroom. "The NUT and the authorities must sit down to resolve this before any damage is done to the economy."
The organisation has warned that the teacher's strike could cost businesses up to £68 million in lost working hours.
Standing by the action Ms Blower added: "There has been a significant decline in applications for post graduate teacher training across both secondary and primary education. You cannot run a world-class education system if teaching doesn't attract enough graduates. It is time for the government to listen."
(DS)
In a move that Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called "regrettable", more than 8,000 schools are closed or will face disruption as teachers walk out for the first time in about 20 years.
Schools in Leeds, Manchester, Cumbria, Nottinghamshire and inner London will all suffer from the action.
Teachers are demanding a 4.1% pay increase rather than the 2.45% currently on the table.
Acting General Secretary of the NUT, Christine Blower commented: "Teachers do not take the decision to strike easily, or lightly, but teachers' patience has been stretched to the limit.
"The Retail Price Index, which features on Government websites as the figure used for pay bargaining, is currently running at a yearly average of 4.1%. The current pay offer of 2,45% is well below that and can be seen in no other way than as a pay cut."
John Ransford from the Local Government Association believes the strike action is unwarranted saying "in the past teachers have not had brilliant pay settlements but in terms of the average they've been above average".
Mr Ransford added that teaching is "a well paid, well resourced profession".
Junior Schools Minister Jim Knight said parents would be "frustrated" by strike. Mr Knight commented: "Their pay has gone up by 19% in real terms since 1997 and that at 2.45% they're getting more than the 2% benchmark for public sector pay last year."
Sally Low, Director of Policy and External Relations at the British Chamber of Commerce said: "The strike is going to cause disruption far beyond the classroom. "The NUT and the authorities must sit down to resolve this before any damage is done to the economy."
The organisation has warned that the teacher's strike could cost businesses up to £68 million in lost working hours.
Standing by the action Ms Blower added: "There has been a significant decline in applications for post graduate teacher training across both secondary and primary education. You cannot run a world-class education system if teaching doesn't attract enough graduates. It is time for the government to listen."
(DS)
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05 September 2013
Teachers Consider Strike Action
Teachers in England could strike before Christmas in a dispute over pay, pensions and workloads, two of UKs largest teachers unions have warned. The NUT and NASUWT have said that plans for industrial action "are in place" but not date has yet been set as they hope to enter talks with the government.
Teachers Consider Strike Action
Teachers in England could strike before Christmas in a dispute over pay, pensions and workloads, two of UKs largest teachers unions have warned. The NUT and NASUWT have said that plans for industrial action "are in place" but not date has yet been set as they hope to enter talks with the government.
07 September 2012
Teachers Vote For Strike Action Over Pay
In a row over pay and working conditions, teachers in England and Wales have voted to go on strike. 82.5% of members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) who voted were in favour of walkouts. The turnout was 27%. They will campaign alongside the other big teachers' union, the NASUWT, to safeguard their profession, they said.
Teachers Vote For Strike Action Over Pay
In a row over pay and working conditions, teachers in England and Wales have voted to go on strike. 82.5% of members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) who voted were in favour of walkouts. The turnout was 27%. They will campaign alongside the other big teachers' union, the NASUWT, to safeguard their profession, they said.
17 October 2013
Schools Close As Teachers Hold One-Day Strike
A teachers strike across England has led to the closure of a number of schools in a dispute of pay, pensions and jobs. In an ongoing dispute the one-day strike action is underway in London, Cumbria, the South East, North East and South West.
Schools Close As Teachers Hold One-Day Strike
A teachers strike across England has led to the closure of a number of schools in a dispute of pay, pensions and jobs. In an ongoing dispute the one-day strike action is underway in London, Cumbria, the South East, North East and South West.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
