School strikes called
Schools across Somerset will be affected by a national strike called by the National Education Union (NEU). Teacher members of the NEU in England a have voted overwhelmingly for strike action. The ballot of 300,000 teacher and support staff members in England and Wales opened on Friday 28 October 2022 and closed on Friday 13 January 2023.
The ballot successfully surpassed the thresholds set by Government for strike action. The question put to members was: “Are you prepared to take strike action in furtherance of this dispute?”
90.44% of teachers in England who voted, voted YES. That was on a turnout of 53.27%. The NEU added: “The ballot is a result of failure by the Secretary of State in England to ensure enough money is available to pay a fully-funded increase in pay for teachers which at least matches inflation, and which begins to restore lost pay.“
Ballots of support staff despite being overwhelmingly in favour, missed the 50% turnout target. As a result teacher members of the NEU will go out on strike in Somerset on the following days:
- Wednesday 1 February 2023: all eligible members in England and Wales.
- Thursday 2 March 2023: all eligible members in the South West.
- Wednesday 15 March 2023: all eligible members in England and Wales.
- Thursday 16 March 2023: all eligible members in England and Wales.
This industrial action is justified. The Government has failed in its duty to provide adequate funds for this essential public service, snd should accordingly be censured.