Somerset ∙ Members of the National Education Union (NEU), Britain’s teachers’ union, have not backed the Government’s call for a pay rise. Following this, teachers in England will go on strike on Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May. With the teachers going ahead with the strike, there is severe uncertainty in the education sector of the country. Students and parents are worried that the strike will affect GCSE, A level exams and other classes.
The pay deal included a £1,000 one-off payment to teachers and a 4.3% pay rise from next academic year. The starting salary will rise to £3,000 from September. Union members voted down the deal. A poll found that 98% of members of the National Education Union could not accept the contract. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan responded that the action of the union members was extremely disappointing.