Teachers urged to back new strike

OLDHAM’S schools could be disrupted by a second strike by teachers this year.

Members of the UK’s biggest teaching union, the National Union of Teachers (NUT), have been urged to vote yes to further action over pay.

The union sent out ballot papers yesterday to its 250,000 members.

In April, thousands of teachers walked out after a 2.45 per cent pay increase.

It was the first national strike by teachers for 21 years and hit more than half of Oldham’s 109 schools as 25,000 pupils were told to stay at home.

Teachers have been offered a 2.3 per cent pay rise for next September.

Around half of the borough’s 2,500 teachers are NUT members and Bryan Beckingham, joint branch secretary of Oldham NUT, said: “Our members are suffering reduced living standards but the employers’ survey shows workload has gone up to 52 hours a week for a primary teacher and 50 hours for a secondary teacher.

“Money can be found to aid the rich bankers but the Government claims it cannot afford to pay public employees.

“Over the last three years teachers’ pay has declined every year and it is time to say enough is enough.”

NUT acting general secretary Christine Blower added: “Teachers do not take strike action lightly. Every day of a child’s education is precious.

“It is time to value teachers properly. The action will be in the interests of children and teachers alike.”