Devon teachers join London protest over pay dispute

Many had staged early-morning picket lines outside their schools before travelling to the capital for the day of industrial action, which also involved junior doctors and tens of thousands of civil service employees.

The National Education Union said around 130 teachers from Devon were at the London march. 

Speaking before the London protest, Mike Gurney from the NEU in Devon said: “We very much regret that this third round of action has proved necessary but, given the Government’s refusal to engage in any meaningful negotiations on the key issues, it has become inevitable."

The latest industrial action by teachers continued today (Thursday, March 16) with picket lines outside local schools, including Sidmouth College, Exmouth Community College and Axe Valley Academy.

Rob, an NEU member at Axe Valley Academy, said: "Staff took part in yesterday's rally in London and were back out on the picket line again this morning as we all feel we have no choice but to take action on behalf of the  young people we teach and the staff who serve them; everyone deserves better!

"It was lovely to see and hear the support of our community at the school gates and we finished with a member of the public taking the time to ask us about our dispute who then thanked us for everything we do. Sadly, thanks from the Government aren't enough! They are failing our education system and failing our young people. They need to fund schools properly and pay us fairly for what we do."

The Department for Education had said it would only enter formal talks with the NEU if the union postponed its planned strike action.

In an open letter to parents published just before this week's strikes, the education minister Gillian Keegan said: "The single best thing the NEU could do for both its members and for children and young people would be to sit down and talk about pay.

"I will continue doing everything I can to end the disruption your family is facing as quickly as possible, particularly because I know exams for older pupils are coming up fast."

The union was not prepared to call off the planned industrial action, but after this week the NEU does not have any definite strike days lined up. It's reported that pay negotiations between teachers and the Government could start in earnest as early as next week.