Half of Liverpool and Merseyside's schools to shut as teachers strike over pay

Apr 22 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

HALF of all Merseyside’s schools will close or be partially shut on Thursday as hundreds of teachers walk out on strike.

A total of 304 schools will be affected by the one-day walk-out which will see 1,000 teachers march across Liverpool city centre in a dispute over pay.

Education chiefs have criticised the action saying hundreds of pupils will be turned away from schools, forcing parents to miss work or arrange child care. Information collected by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and local councils estimates 159 schools will be completely closed, with 145 schools only partially open to some age groups.

A third of all the primary and secondary schools in Liverpool are affected, with the majority of schools in Wirral, St Helen, Halton and Knowsley estimating a degree of closure.

Sefton is one of the least affected authorities, with the council expecting only a handful of schools to close. Some headteachers are trying to arrange external cover from supply teachers or increased class sizes to try and remain open.

Pete Glover, from Merseyside NUT, said they were pleased by the response of members which will see all but two secondary schools in Liverpool affected.

Mr Glover said: “Considering this is the first strike action in 21 years, we’re really pleased with the response from schools.

“We’re expecting at least 500 teachers to join our march on Thursday but hope this could reach over 1,000.

“It’s always hard for members to decide whether to join industrial action but Liverpool has a strong union history.

“We apologise to parents and carers, but we need to act against the Government’s manipulation of the education system.”

The rally will leave Derby Square, off Liverpool’s Church Street, at 11am to march to St George’s Plateau, where members will speak in protest.

The NUT confirmed the national walk-out at the start of last month, following a ballot.

The Government announced a 2.45% pay rise for teachers in England and Wales this year with further rises of 2.3% in 2009 and 2010.

The union is demanding a 10% pay rise or £3,000 – whichever is the greater – for every teacher in England and Wales this September.

But schools minister Jim Knight has condemned the action, saying: “I am disappointed by the decision to strike, as I think parents will be.

“Of course teachers should be properly paid, which is why we accepted the recommendations of the independent STRB for a three-year award, with a 2.45% basic pay rise for teachers from September, 2008, additional increases for many London teachers, and increases of 2.3% per year for the following two years.”

He added: “We believe all teachers should be teaching and talking – and not walking out.”

Parents are advised to contact their schools directly to find out details of any strike action.

laurasharpe