Members of the National Education Union (NEU) are planning strike action in February and March, which will affect numerous school across the Walsall borough.
In a row over pay, teaching and support staff across England and Wales will strike for seven days over a two-month period in a bid to force the Department of Education (DfE) to offer a pay-
The seven days of strikes will take place nationally on 1 February, 15/16 March, while regional strikes will take place on 14/28 February and 1/2 of March.
Consequently, teachers in Walsall who are part of the union and have agreed to strike will do so for four days in total.
The DfE have offered teachers and support staff a 5% rise, but the National Education Union says it is not enough with claims that teachers have lost 23% since 2010.
“The average 5% pay rise for teachers this year is some 7% behind inflation. In the midst of a cost of living crisis, that is an unsustainable situation,” said Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, joint general secretaries of the NEU.
It’s expected that some Walsall schools will completely close, while others will partially shut on the planned strike days. Some will also remain open and rely on agency staff.