Union bosses have said that “no progress” has been made after today’s meeting with the education secretary - and that the two sides are ”no nearer a solution”.
Gillian Keegan met with union leaders this morning including Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU teaching union, which Monday announced that teacher members would be striking from 1 February.
Ms Bousted told Tes that the meeting was “cordial”, but said there was “no clear answer” on the possibility of any extra money to solve the pay dispute this year.
Ms Bousted also said there was also no indication of what the pay award will be for next year.
She added: “On neither of those two issues could we get any indication of whether there is any extra money and what the recommended award would be for next year.
“In that respect, it was disappointing.”
On Monday, the NEU declared seven days of strike action in February and March, though any individual school will be affected by only four of those days.
The announcement followed the news that 90 per cent of teacher members voted for strike action, with a turnout of 53.27 per cent.
Today, Ms Bousted told Tes: “We need to have discussions about what is at the core of the dispute. We can’t have discussions about everything else but not that.”
Ms Bousted said she told the government the “clock was ticking” and there was a “brief window of time in order to negotiate and resolve the dispute”.
“I get no real sense that that is something that will happen,” she added.
The NEU is due to meet with departmental officials on Friday to discuss the DfE and union evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body.
Vote to strike ‘not surprising’
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, was also in attendance today. He said: “While it is good that these talks are continuing, and we are fully supportive of an ongoing dialogue, we have to report that no progress was made at this meeting and we are no nearer a solution.”
ASCL is currently discussing its next steps after 69 per cent of its members voted in favour of moving to a formal ballot on strike action.
Following the meeting, Mr Barton added: “Nobody wants to see industrial action but it is not surprising that members of the NEU have voted in favour of strike action in these circumstances.
“Teacher shortages are a critical issue for virtually every school and college in the country and are causing educational damage on a daily basis. The government must do better for teachers, leaders and pupils.”
Union bosses also held talks with Ms Keegan on 9 January.
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
“Education secretary Gillian Keegan held a further meeting with union leaders this morning, listening to their concerns and engaging in a constructive discussion around a broad range of issues.
“She reiterated that strike action would be highly damaging to children’s education, particularly following the disruption experienced over the past two years.
“Discussions will continue this week, ahead of the planned strike action.”
