Strike action 'better for schools in long term'

Strike action may cause disruption but it is better for schools in the long term, it has been claimed.

This is according to Martin Johnson, deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), who said the union is hoping that the government will "see sense" and begin negotiations.

"[With] that being the case, we would then call off the strike. If the strike is necessary, a large number of pupils will have to stay at home on that day. We recognise that it is disruptive and we regret that disruption," he said.

Mr Johnson noted that the teaching profession will become less attractive in future if the government goes ahead with its plans to increase pension contributions.

He claimed it will also become more difficult to recruit headteachers, meaning that pupils will suffer.

"That's why our members, in huge numbers, - members who never thought in their lives that they were the striking kind - have decided that one day's disruption is preferable to long term damage to the school system," Mr Johnson added.



 

Meet the Teaching Personnel news team >>