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The NUT and UCU are due to strike on Tuesday July 5th. This is Kevin Courtney's message to NUT members:
Thank you for all you are doing to build for the strike action. We have received a number of messages from members concerned about the efficacy of taking action given the current political turmoil but we are also experiencing a large spike in joiners and members reinstating.
Tomorrow, we will be emailing members in the ballot cohorts with the message below which has a link to a letter I have sent to Nicky Morgan MP setting out our concerns and reminding her of the steps she can take to avert the strike:
POST-REFERENDUM SUPPORT
Following the referendum we have being considering steps we need to take to support our members and our pupils.
• We are writing to our members from overseas - reassuring them of our support and determination to do everything we can to help.
• We are working on materials for teachers to use in schools at a time of increasing racial tension.
• We have decided that it is important to go ahead with the strike on July 5.
I'm writing to explain that decision and to ask for your support.
THE STRIKE IS ON
Firstly, it is important to know that under the UK's union laws there is no option of simply delaying action to September; action must be started within 28 days of the ballot closing.
Secondly, we believe the demands our strike is putting forward are now more important than ever.
Schools are facing a very difficult budget because George Osborne has FROZEN the money he gives schools, while INCREASING the money he takes from them.
As a result we are seeing:
• increases in class sizes,
• cuts to subjects especially Arts subjects,
• less individual attention for children,
• worsening of terms and conditions for teachers.
The referendum result makes this all the more important. If inflation now rises then George Osborne's funding freeze will damage education even more.
It is also vital for the Government to acknowledge that they bear the responsibility for increasing class sizes. They are not due to migrants, but due to a lack of funding and of school place planning. We are therefore calling on Nicky Morgan and George Osborne to commit to investing in education, not cutting it. This is in the interest of our country as well as our children's education and our teachers and support staff. I have written to Nicky Morgan outlining some steps she could take which would allow us to suspend our action.
But in the meantime, if you can, please support our strike - in the best interest of education, teachers and the young people we teach.
1,000 new members have joined the union since last Thursday.