Union boss says more strikes are likely to hit classrooms

A union official has warned that teachers in Yorkshire could launch more strikes after a day of industrial action hit more than 1,000 schools across the region.
Teachers march in Victoria Gardens, Leeds.Teachers march in Victoria Gardens, Leeds.
Teachers march in Victoria Gardens, Leeds.

The country’s two largest teaching unions joined forces yesterday to launch regional strikes in Yorkshire, the Midlands and the East of England over pay, pensions and workload.

More than 1,000 schools in Yorkshire were forced to shut or cancel classes causing widespread disruption to parents.

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Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the NASUWT are set to strike again in a one day national walk-out which could take place next month.

Teachers march in Victoria Gardens, Leeds.Teachers march in Victoria Gardens, Leeds.
Teachers march in Victoria Gardens, Leeds.

Patrick Murphy, the secretary of the NUT’s Leeds branch and national executive member said: “If there is no response to the recent strike action then we will call a national strike before the end of the school term. No date has been set yet but I would expect late November. It is more likely now because we haven’t heard anything from Michael Gove.

“The strike was really successful today but shifting Mr Gove will take more than that. If the next strike doesn’t work we will ask the members how much more they are up for. In my mind we will need more intensive strike action.”

Large rallies took place in Leeds and Sheffield city centre as teachers staged marches.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “It is disappointing that the NUT and NASUWT are striking over the Government’s measures to allow heads to pay good teachers more.”