Teachers strike breakthrough: Government and education unions agree to 'intensive talks'

The Government and education unions have agreed to ‘intensive talks’ on teacher pay, conditions and workload reduction, they announced in a joint statement.

The talks, which will focus on pay, conditions and workload reduction, will involve unions including the National Education Union (NEU), whose members were on strike in England earlier this week.

A joint statement by the Government and education unions said: ‘The Government and the education trade unions, Association of School and College Leaders, National Association of Head Teachers, NASUWT and National Education Union, have agreed to move into a period of intensive talks. The talks will focus on teacher pay, conditions and workload reduction.

‘In order for talks to begin and, we hope, reach a successful conclusion, the NEU has confirmed it will create a period of calm for two weeks during which time they have said no further strike dates will be announced.

‘The Education Secretary and all unions will meet today, beginning intensive talks, which will continue over the weekend.’

Earlier this week, around seven million school pupils were hit by strikes as their teachers walked out across the country in a dispute over pay

More to follow.  

Source of data and images: dailymail