Teachers to strike after failing to reach new pay deal with Gove
BRITAIN’S leading teaching unions yesterday announced plans for a national strike in a dispute over the government’s attempt to introduce performance-related pay.
The NUT and NASUWT announced plans for a rolling series of regional strikes during October, with a single day national walkout set to follow before Christmas. Teachers in London and the south east are set to strike on 17 October.
“I unhesitatingly condemn this action,” said Michael Gove, the reforming education secretary, who attacked union leaders who get “some sort of kick” from ideologically-motivated industrial action.
NUT general secretary Christine Blower said that performance-related pay is an unnecessary imposition: “Teachers begin the academic year with an enormous level of enthusiasm to do the best they possibly can for every child that comes into their classroom.”