The NASUWT and the NUT have now served notice to employers that NUT and NASUWT members in the North West of England are to take strike action on 27 June 2013 in furtherance of the dispute with the government over pensions, pay and conditions.
A joint union statement said: ‘This escalation of action is a further step in our ongoing campaign to protect teachers and defend education.
‘The NUT and the NASUWT remain committed to resolving this dispute through negotiation but to date the Secretary of State has failed to engage constructively.
‘The strike action in the North West is part of a rolling programme of strike action across England and Wales.’
Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary, said: ‘Since the Coalition government came to office, the attacks on teachers’ pay, pensions, working conditions and jobs have been relentless. Teachers’ morale is at an all-time low.
‘The move to strike action is a manifestation of the anger and frustration of teachers at the failure of the government to seek to address the deep concerns of the profession.’
Christine Blower, NUT General Secretary said: ‘The proposed changes to pay, pensions and conditions will strip the profession of any security or incentive.
‘Performance-related pay will leave head teachers in the invidious position of choosing between paying some teachers more or smaller class sizes.
‘This is neither fair nor workable and is not in the best interest of either pupils, parents or teachers.’
The number of schools and colleges with teachers on strike will be 2,765.
• Meanwhile, members of the University and College Union (UCU) at Chesterfield College are striking today in defence of jobs.
The college has announced plans to make 70 staff redundant, despite the fact that over 100 staff have left the college through voluntary redundancies in the last two years.
