Teachers 'we have no choice but to continue to strike'
World Book Day events have been postponed so some children don't miss out
Last updated 2nd Mar 2023
Teachers across Cornwall will walk out today in a long-running row over pay and working conditions.
It is the third day of walkouts by National Education Union (NEU) members, after teacher strikes took place in northern England on Tuesday and the Midlands and eastern regions of England on Wednesday.
The NEU has estimated that around 200,000 members will strike across the three days of action this week, with the "majority of schools" expected to either restrict access to pupils or fully close.
Rallies will be taking place in Plymouth and Bristol, with picket lines at a number of schools.
Fiona Westwood, Senior Regional Officer for the NEU, said: “Sadly, the Government has once again refused to negotiate on the key issue of this year’s pay award for teachers in any sensible manner. This has led very directly to the action being taken today by NEU members.
"The remedy for this dispute lies in the Government’s own hands and it is not going to be resolved without reasonable negotiation on the key issues.
"Evidence suggests that headteachers and CEOs across the county continue to be broadly supportive of this action, as are parents.
"We have received many letters and emails of support from parents sent to schools and the union and senior leadership members have been visiting picket lines with refreshments for our members to show their active support. This is because they understand the issues involved."
Last week, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan invited the teaching unions to "formal talks on pay, conditions and reform" on the condition that this week's walkouts were suspended.
Ms Keegan has called the union's decision not to suspend the regional strikes "hugely disappointing".
Further national strikes by NEU members in England and Wales are planned for March 15 and 16.