Over 60 per cent of the borough’s schools will be affected by strike

Matthew Moss will be closed due to strike action

Thousands of Rochdale pupils will miss school tomorrow (Thursday 27 June) when teachers stage a one-day strike.

Over 60 per cent of the borough’s schools have confirmed the joint action by the NUT and NASUWT will force them to close or partially close.

The one-day walkout is part of a continuing row over pay, pensions and workload. The unions claim 2,675 schools in 22 local authorities across the North-West will be affected.

It is the first phase of a rolling programme of national strikes across England and Wales by the two largest teaching unions. A rally will be held in Manchester tomorrow.

Tony Harrison, secretary of Oldham NUT, said: “Since the Coalition Government came to office the attacks on teachers’ pay, pensions, working conditions and jobs have been relentless. Teachers’ morale is at an all-time low.

“This is not a step that teachers take lightly, nor a course of action we would wish to pursue. The policies of this Government leave us with no other choice.

“We deeply regret the disruption caused by strike action.”

Polls suggest almost two thirds of teachers have considered leaving their job in the past year, while more than half have considered leaving teaching entirely. Few think the Government’s school reforms will help education.

For a list of schools affected please see:

http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/schools_and_children/_more_on_schools_and_children/school_closures.aspx