Shropshire education chiefs in strike action talks
Education bosses in Shropshire will be holding talks with teaching unions in a bid to ensure the impact of strike action next month is kept to the "absolute minimum".
Hundreds of teachers across the county are expected to walk out on October 1 in a bid to "close as many schools as possible" in a row over pay, pensions and workloads.
A national strike by members of the two biggest teaching unions – the NUT and the NASUWT – is also expected to follow before Christmas, although no date for that has yet been set.
Teachers have accused the Government of "reckless and irresponsible behaviour" and say that Education Secretary Michael Gove will only engage in "megaphone diplomacy", while the Government has said the walkouts are disruptive to pupils' education.
But Karen Bradshaw, director of children's services at Shropshire Council, said efforts would be made to minimise disruption.
She said: "We will work with county trade union representatives and schools to look at the potential impact."
Russell Griffin, spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, added: "We do of course recognise that teachers have a right to express their views about the terms and conditions of their employment and that striking is one of the avenues open to them to do that, although we would hope that it is always seen as a last resort after every effort to negotiate an agreement has been exhausted."
Under reforms, set to come into effect from autumn, pay will be linked to performance in the classroom and schools will set salaries, rather than follow a national framework. Changes have also been made to public sector pensions.
John Allison, NASUWT national executive member for the area which covers Shropshire, said: "We hope to close as many schools as possible", adding: "It is not something we are entering into lightly, but we need to get Michael Gove to the table."
Christine Hargest, the NUT's divisional secretary for Shropshire said meetings to discuss the planned national strike would be held in Market Drayton, Oswestry, Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury over the next fortnight.
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.
