TEACHERS from across the UK have voted to go on strike in February and March, with a demonstration planned to take place in Winchester.
In its ongoing campaign for a fully funded, above inflation pay rise, teacher members of the National Education Union (NEU) in England and Wales have voted overwhelmingly for strike action.
The union has declared seven days of strike action for February and March 2023, although any individual school will only be affected by four of them.
In the South East of England strike action will take place on Wednesday, February 1, Thursday, March 2, Wednesday, March 15 and Thursday, March 16.
The Hampshire NEU branch has organised a march and rally in Winchester for striking teachers, parents, children and community members.
The demonstration will assemble at 11am at Westgate Museum, Winchester, before marching to the Guildhall for speeches and refreshments provided by the union.
Commenting on the forthcoming strike days and demonstrations, Karen Williams, NEU national executive member based in Hampshire, said: “We are striking in Hampshire and nationally because we care about our profession, our students and our schools.
“Education has been consistently underfunded by a government that is refusing to do the best by our young people in state schools.
“Since 2010, teachers have suffered massive real terms cuts to their pay, which has led to the current crisis in recruitment and retention.
“School budgets are under such pressure that valuable staff are being made redundant, and schools are having to make difficult choices to cut spending to all but essentials.
“No teacher or leader takes the decision to strike lightly.
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“But below-inflation pay increases, to be funded from existing inadequate school budgets, are simply unacceptable to our members. Strike action is always taken with great regret, but enough is enough.
“The government must listen and take notice of the effect that real terms pay cuts and inadequate funding are having on our members and the education they deliver.
“They must recognise that continuing down this unsustainable path will have detrimental consequences for schools, educators, and the young people they teach.”
A Facebook event has been set up to promote the demonstration – it can be found at facebook.com/events/715105186858526.
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