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Derek Fraser wants teachers to be better paid so they stay in the profession
Derek Fraser wants teachers to be better paid so they stay in the profession
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Schools set to close as '300 teachers walk out'

Laura Kenny
17/ 4/2008

UP TO 300 teachers are poised to walk out of schools across Middleton in a one-day strike.

Both primary and secondary schools in the township could be forced to close on the 24 April - leaving thousands of parents struggling to make childcare arrangements.

The strike, by the country's biggest teachers’ union the National Union of Teachers, is the first national walk out for more than two decades with teachers demanding a 10 per cent pay rise this September or an extra £3000.

The government is offering 2.45 per cent in a three-year deal which will see rises of 2.3 per cent in 2009 and 2010.

Derek Fraser, vice-president of the Rochdale branch of NUT acknowledged that the strike would pose difficulties for parents but said: "Thirty per cent of young teachers leave the profession in the first five years.

"It is going to be a difficult day for parents but if we do not get this pay claim then we will see more and more teachers leaving and that will disrupt children’s education even more.

"We do not want dissatisfied teachers, we want well paid, well motivated teachers in the classroom."

At the time of going to press, a spokesman for Rochdale Council said he did not know which schools, if any, would shut.

It is understood a decision is due to be made sometime in the coming week.

Both Newlands School, and St Anne’s Academy, in Hollin, stated that they would not be closing for the day.

But Mr Fraser, an ICT teacher at Middleton Technology School, said that if schools did remain open he would be advising NUT members not to set work for that day and would not rule out future strike action.

Newly qualified teachers in England and Wales receive a starting salary of £20,133 a year.

Sue Brown, Rochdale Council’s head of schools, said: "We are having detailed discussions with school heads to assess the situation and options school by school.

"Parents and children will be told in plenty of time what will be happening at their school on the 24 April.

"Our aim will be to minimise any disruption to children’s education."

Teachers from Rochdale are expected to gather for a rally on strike day at the Friends Meeting House on Mount Street, in Manchester, at 11am.


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Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   I don't think 20k is really enough. It wouldn't attract me into teaching; you probably wouldn't even be able to buy your first house on that salary.
Mike, Middleton
17/04/2008 at 22:20
   just an excuse for more money for all teachers who are becoming increasingly driven by cash and not the love of the job nor the great benefits it provides - why not give 10% payrise to new teachers or teachers of <5yrs??
bossman, manchester
17/04/2008 at 10:59
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