Parents forced to juggle childcare while WFH or cancel important business slam striking teachers – who plan even more walkouts this month
- Latest walkouts by NEU members come after strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday
- Union estimated some 200,000 members will strike across three days of action
Parents have told of the chaos they have suffered over three days of teacher strikes, with some forced to juggle childcare with WFH or stay off work altogether.
Schools in London, the South East and Wales are closed today as teachers stage another day of strikes in a blow to millions of pupils and their parents.
Long-suffering parents took to Twitter to complain of the impact on their work and family lives, with one saying they were ‘in trouble’ with their employer after having to cancel an ‘important meeting’.
Another, Fiona Ray, said the strikes were ‘all well and good’ but questioned whether the needs of parents were being neglected, tweeting: ‘Who’s paying the extra childcare costs while they strike again? No one thinks of that!’
The NEU has estimated that around 200,000 members will strike across the three days of action this week, with the ‘majority of schools’ expected to either restrict access to pupils or fully close.
Further strikes planned next month – promising yet more pain for parents.
Parents took to Twitter to complain of the impact on their work and family lives, with one saying they were ‘in trouble’ with their employer after having to cancel an ‘important meeting’
A poll by Ipsos suggests that three in five (60%) parents and guardians back teachers taking strike action, but many (43%) are worried about their children catching up on work missed because of the walkouts.
Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: ‘While no teacher wants to be on strike action we are grateful for the support of parents, and do not take it for granted.
‘Many understand first-hand the issues faced by schools and colleges and their children’s teachers.
‘They need no persuasion that there is disruption every day of the school year, thanks to the Government’s poor decision-making and short-sighted policies on education.’
Last week, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan invited the teaching unions to ‘formal talks on pay, conditions and reform’ on the condition that this week’s walkouts were suspended.
Striking members of the National Education Union (NEU) South East Region at a rally in Chichester, West Sussex
Schools in London, the South East and Wales were shut today as teachers stage a third day of strikes in a blow to millions of pupils and their parents. Pictured: The picket line in Glasgow yesterday
Ms Keegan has called the union’s decision not to suspend the regional strikes ‘hugely disappointing’.
Further national strikes by NEU members in England and Wales are planned for March 15 and 16.
Speaking on the third day of regional strikes this week, Dr Bousted said: ‘We urge Gillian Keegan to start negotiating with the profession to ensure we have a resolution for the sake of teachers and children’s education.
‘The Government’s continued stonewalling of talks will not improve their standing among parents and the general public.
‘We need to see a substantive offer that will address the issues which are eroding this essential public service.’
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: ‘This week’s rolling series of strikes is posing further challenges for school leaders.
‘While they will draw on their experiences from last month’s industrial action, in many cases they will not know the exact number of staff taking part in the strike until the day itself.
Signs on the picket line outside St. Andrew’s RC Secondary School, in Glasgow, where teachers were striking yesterday
‘Leaders have been planning provision for students according to expected staffing levels and in many cases this will translate to onsite provision for vulnerable pupils, and as many year groups as can be safely accommodated, with remote learning for others.
‘While they are managing the situation as best they can, there will inevitably be disruption to education.’
He added: ‘The Government must reconvene talks with unions as soon as possible and make a serious offer that addresses the long-running concerns over pay and conditions that have resulted in a recruitment and retention crisis in education.
‘Further delay risks further strikes and further disruption to education that simply cannot be afforded.’
Meanwhile, Amazon workers at one of the company’s warehouses in Coventry will go on strike again today as the wave of industrial action continues to sweep the UK.
The GMB said more than 350 staff at the centre were expected to take action in the pay dispute.
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