Walkout is delayed but not cancelled

Teachers walked out in Mansfield and Ashfield on 1st October last year in frustration at what the National Union of Teachers (NUT) called its ‘continuing failure to take seriously their concerns’.

Ian Stevenson, secretary of the Yorkshire and Midland Region, said: “Both the NUT and the NASUWT have emergency executive meetings but have failed to come to a decision.

“In terms of a timescale it will be beyond the date we had envisioned in the middle of February.”

The two teachers’ unions are protesting a range of issues including pay, pensions, what they say are excessive workloads, working conditions and job cuts.

The unions say teachers are concerned about the impact these changes are having on the profession’s morale.

But the main bone of contention is the introduction of a tougher version of performance related pay and what the unions say is an attack on national pay structures.

Christine Blower, NUT General Secretary, said: “The NUT and NASUWT have previously declared that failure to make progress in discussions will lead to further strike action.

“The NUT National Executive reaffirmed this position last week and meets again on 30th January.

“Strike action is not our first resort - but it remains very much our intention if we cannot secure progress.”