| Commenting on today’s regional strike action in England by the two largest teachers’ unions, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “Today’s strike action has been a great success and is an indication of the anger and concern that teachers share about the changes this Government is making to the profession. Strike action does of course always come at a price and we are very well aware of the disruption this causes to parents’ working lives as well as their children’s education. Unfortunately, with a Government that will not negotiate on the issues of our dispute over pay, pensions and workload, we have been left with little choice. “Make no mistake Michael Gove’s reforms to teachers’ pay are about paying teachers less, not more. A YouGov poll commissioned by the NUT showed that only a quarter of parents (25%) thought schools should set their own pay system with 60% supporting the continuation of a national pay system for teachers. (1) “We do not want to be on strike but if we do not make teaching attractive there will be huge problems for recruiting and retaining good teachers. Michael Gove has demoralised an entire profession and today’s action is a direct result of his and the Government’s steadfast refusal to accept there are problems that need to be resolved. We urge the Government to set aside their prejudices and talk to the profession for the sake of everyone.” |