Calls were growing on Wednesday for the Government to reopen negotiations with teaching unions before tomorrow’s strike — amid fears a stalemate could mean more walkouts in the next academic year.
Thousands of teachers are set to strike tomorrow and Tuesday as the bitter dispute over pay continues and negotiations between the Government and the National Education Union have ground to a halt.
The head of an influential body representing academy trusts urged the Government to return to the negotiating table. Leora Cruddas, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, warned the sector “must be wary of a stalemate which could play out over many months, potentially into the next academic year”.
Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU, has issued a call for talks to begin again, but no further meetings have been scheduled. Education SecretaryGillian Keegan has previously said she will not negotiate while strikes are planned.
Ms Cruddas called on the Government to “find a resolution and return some certainty to classrooms ahead of GCSEs, A-levels, and Sats.”
She added: “Talking is the only way this dispute will be resolved and ensure that children get back learning.”
Ms Cruddas said she recognised the dispute was “challenging to resolve in this fiscal environment. But we are sure that common ground can be found.”
The Government offered teachers a £1,000 one-off payment for the current school year and an average 4.5 per cent pay rise for staff next year. Four education unions have rejected the pay offer.
Dr Bousted said it is the government’s inaction and silence that has led teachers to “reluctantly” take two more strike days.
There is a risk that further strikes could take place in the next academic year as other teaching unions are balloting their members. The NEU will also seek a new six-month strike mandate from July.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: “We have made a fair and reasonable teacher pay offer to the unions, which recognises teachers’ hard work and commitment. Next year, school funding will be at its highest level in history — per pupil, in real terms. We know schools are facing increased costs and we are providing an extra £2 billion in each of the next two years to cover those costs.”
