NUT and NASUWT members in Yorkshire, the Midlands and parts of eastern England struck on Tuesday 1 October in opposition to Michael Gove’s attacks on education.
As well as making changes to the curriculum with no staff consultation, Gove has been attacking teacher pay, notably through the removal of the national pay scheme, and a less-than-inflation 1% pay rise in 2013, as well as demanding teachers work longer hours, retire later, and for a smaller pension pot at the end.
2500 schools in 49 authorities were closed in total.
On 17 October, another day of regional strikes will take place in London, the South West and South East, and the North East.
Union leaders have started discussing a coordinated national strike in November, but the absence of a named date undermines any serious attempt to defeat the government’s plans.
NUT and NASUWT members should pressure the unions to name a date, and start planning now.
