Teacher Strikes in the UK [October 2023 dates]

The next round of teacher strikes in the UK is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 12 October 2023 and Thursday, 13 October 2023. The strikes will be held by the National Education Union (NEU) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) in Scotland.

The NEU is calling for a pay rise of at least 8% for all teachers, as well as action to reduce workload and improve conditions. The EIS is also calling for a pay rise of at least 8%, as well as action to address the growing crisis in teacher recruitment and retention.

The strikes are expected to cause disruption to schools across the UK. The NEU has said that it is willing to take further action if its demands are not met.

In a statement, the NEU said: “We are taking strike action because we are angry and frustrated. We are angry that teachers are underpaid, undervalued and overworked. We are frustrated that the government is refusing to listen to our concerns and take action to address the crisis in education.”

The EIS said in a statement: “We are taking strike action because we are fighting for the future of education in Scotland. We are calling on the Scottish government to invest in our schools and give teachers the support they need to do their jobs.”

The government has said that it is disappointed by the decision to strike and that it is committed to providing fair pay for teachers. However, it has also said that it cannot afford to give teachers a 8% pay rise.

The strikes are the latest in a series of industrial action by teachers in the UK. In 2022, there were two rounds of strikes over pay and conditions. The strikes caused widespread disruption to schools and colleges.

Why are teachers striking?

Teachers in the UK are striking for a number of reasons, including:

• Low pay: Teachers’ salaries have fallen in real terms since 2010. In England, the average teacher’s salary is now £39,000, which is below the national average salary of £39,500.
• Excessive workload: Teachers are facing increasing workload pressures, with many working long hours outside of school hours. This is leading to stress and burnout.
• Unmanageable class sizes: Class sizes are rising, making it difficult for teachers to give all students the individual attention they need.
• Lack of support: Teachers are feeling unsupported by the government and by their schools. They are calling for more investment in education and for better resources.
• The impact of COVID-19: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on teachers and schools. Teachers are calling for more support to help them recover from the pandemic and to help them continue to teach effectively.

The strikes are the latest in a series of industrial action by teachers in the UK. In 2022, there were two rounds of strikes over pay and conditions. The strikes caused widespread disruption to schools and colleges.

The government has said that it is committed to providing fair pay for teachers. However, it has also said that it cannot afford to give teachers a 8% pay rise.

The strikes are the latest sign of the growing crisis in education in the UK. Teachers are feeling increasingly undervalued and unsupported. The strikes are a warning to the government that something needs to change.

Do teachers get paid if they strike?

Teachers do not get paid if they strike in the UK. When teachers take part in strike action, they are deemed to be in breach of contract and will lose a day’s pay for each day of strike action. This is the same for all employees in the UK who take part in strike action.

Some unions have hardship funds to support their members when they strike. However, these funds are often limited and may not be enough to cover the full cost of lost wages.

The decision to strike is a difficult one for teachers. They know that they will lose money if they do, but they also feel that they have no other choice. They are angry and frustrated about the state of education in the UK and they feel that they need to take action to make things better.

The strikes are having a significant impact on schools and students. Schools are having to close or operate with reduced staff, and students are missing out on lessons. The government has said that it is disappointed by the strikes and that it is committed to finding a solution. However, it is unclear when or if a solution will be found.

Does teacher strike mean no school?

Not necessarily. Whether or not a teacher strike means no school depends on a number of factors, including the number of teachers who are striking, the size of the school, and the availability of substitute teachers.

In some cases, schools may be able to stay open even if a large number of teachers are striking. This is because they may be able to find enough substitute teachers to cover the lessons. However, in other cases, schools may have to close if there are not enough substitute teachers available.

The decision of whether or not to close a school during a teacher strike is ultimately up to the headteacher. They will need to consider the factors mentioned above, as well as the impact that a closure would have on students and families.

In the case of the upcoming teacher strikes in the UK, it is likely that some schools will close, while others will remain open. The decision of which schools will close will be made by the headteachers on a case-by-case basis.

If you are a parent or student who is affected by a teacher strike, it is important to contact your school to find out what the arrangements are. You may also want to consider making alternative childcare arrangements for the days of the strike.