Planned strike suspended by Teachers

Two of the biggest teaching unions are to suspend a planned national strike after ministers agreed to discuss the dispute.

14:12 28 October 2013

The National Union of Teachers and the NASUWT, which are two of the biggest teaching unions, have agreed to suspend a planned strike after ministers agreed to discuss the dispute. Initially, the teachers in England had planned a one-day walkout before Christmas in a row over conditions, pensions, and pay. In a statement, the two unions confirmed that Education Secretary Michael Gove had said he was "willing to discuss a basis for genuine talks.”

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: "The public demonstration of the anger and frustration of teachers and the commitment of members to the action have secured the prospect of talks with the secretary of state.

"We look forward to securing progress in these talks as quickly as possible."

The unions staged a strike on October 1, 2013, which affected 2,500 schools across 49 authorities in the Midlands, east of England, the Humber, and Yorkshire. The teachers also staged a walkout last October 17 involving 3,500 schools in London, Cumbria, South West, the South East, and North East.

Christine Blower, general secretary of the NUT, said: "The successful regional strikes already undertaken show the strength of teachers' anger and concerns about the changes being made to their profession.

"We are giving government the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with us to resolve our ongoing dispute.