Parent warning: Prepare for school strikes

Thursday 14 February 2019

Schools across the island are warning parents to make childcare arrangements in case of a shutdown due to teacher strikes later this month – but say they won’t be able to confirm their plans until just 24 hours before.

It comes as tensions over real terms wage cuts for teachers led two unions to call their hundreds of members to strike on 26 February.

It means that schools across the island could close or partially close as staff protest for a full day.

The National Education Union and NASUWT’s decisions came after talks over bringing teachers’ pay in line with rises in the cost of living stalled on Monday.

Pictured: Signs carried by teachers during the recent 'March for Fair Pay' protest.

The NEU went so far as to say the most recent offer on the table was actually worse than what had been put forward previously.

However, some schools are maintaining hope that the strike may be called off.

An email from headteachers to parents read: “Discussions are still ongoing and we are hoping that the dispute will be resolved and the proposed strike action is called off, should a satisfactory resolution to the pay dispute be reached.​”

But with schools due to close for half-term next week, parents won’t know where they stand until Monday 25 February – one day before the strike is due to take place.

Pictured: The strike is currently set for 26 February, and could see some schools fully or partially close.

The email continued: “As the school is closed next week for half-term, we will not be able to confirm arrangements until we return on the morning of Monday, 25 February. However, at this time we expect disruption, possibly significant, on Tuesday, 26 February.

“As a consequence, I would urge you to prepare by making your own necessary childcare, work and any other arrangements for the proposed industrial action on Tuesday, 26 February.”

It added: “The health, safety and wellbeing of pupils at school is paramount.”