Schoolchildren across the UK are suffering disruption as teachers strike over pay, pensions, and conditions.
The strike is organised by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) union, who have called the action a “last resort” in their ongoing two-year battle with the Department for Education (DfE).
92% of NUT members voted in support of industrial action, in ballots that had a turnout of 40%.
The NASUWT union has previously coordinated regional strikes with the NUT over the current dispute, but they have decided not to join today’s nationwide strike.
Describing the reasoning behind the strike action, NUT general secretary Christine Blower told BBC London Live that a “change in policy” is needed because:
“Teachers are working 60 hours per week and that’s simply not sustainable.”
Schools Minister David Laws has said that he was concerned about the number of hours teachers were working each week, but claims not to understand why the NUT are striking in the middle of talks.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove wrote a letter to the unions, underlining his commitment to talks, but NUT say that the content of the letter shows that Gove has not been listening to their demands, with Deputy General Secretary National Kevin Courtney telling Sky News:
“We want Michael Gove to listen and to address the problems which are causing this situation.”
