Ministers warned after pay talks to act ‘now or never’ to avoid teacher strikes

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Union leaders said “no concrete progress” was made during a meeting with Education Secretary Gillian Keegan on Monday, with one school leaders’ union boss describing the discussions as “largely unsatisfactory”. It’s now or never.” Dr Bousted added: “At the moment there’s nothing concrete that would, if the members vote to take action, stop us doing that because there’s no concrete offer from the Government, particularly on this year’s pay award.” Schools are running out of teachers and unless we take action now, or unless the Government listens, then the situation is going to go from critical to catastrophic Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU The NEU and teachers’ union NASUWT, as well as school leaders’ union the National Association of Head Teachers, are balloting members on strike action with results due in the coming week. When asked about the impact of possible strikes on families, Dr Bousted told PA: “It certainly makes life more difficult for parents and we have no desire to do this.” But she added: “Schools are running out of teachers and unless we take action now, or unless the Government listens, then the situation is going to go from critical to catastrophic.” In a statement following the meeting at the Department for Education on Monday, Dr Bousted and Kevin Courtney, joint general secretaries of the NEU, said: “There is no concrete progress but the existence of these discussions is due to the possibility of industrial action.” They added: “If the Government wants to avoid industrial action then there is only a small window of opportunity before the NEU declares its ballot result and its plans for action.” We will remain in dispute with the Government unless tangible progress is forthcoming Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT Following the meeting with Ms Keegan, Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: “Given the pressing issues, the minister must now intensify and accelerate a programme of further talks. “However, we will remain in dispute with the Government unless tangible progress is forthcoming.” Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The meeting was constructive but largely unsatisfactory in that our concerns over the long-term erosion of teacher pay and conditions, the inadequacy of this year’s pay award, and the ongoing teacher recruitment and retention crisis remain unresolved.” ASCL recently carried out a consultative ballot of its members which found the majority supported proceeding to a formal ballot on strike action.