BACK TO CLASS
All school strikes are CALLED OFF as teacher unions back Sunak’s 6.5% wage hike
ALL school strikes have today been called off as teaching unions backed Rishi Sunak's offer of a 6.5 per cent pay rise.
Following months of damaging classroom walkouts a breakthrough between ministers and the unions was finally agreed.
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A rare joint statement between the PM, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and the four biggest unions announced the deal.
It said: "This deal will allow teachers and school leaders to call off strike action and resume normal relations with government.”
In a press conference announcing public sector pay awards, Mr Sunak added: "All teaching unions have just announced that they're suspending all planned strikes immediately.
"Teachers will return to the classroom. Disruption to our children’s education will end."
The NASWUT union only yesterday announced a fresh round of strikes for the autumn.
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And the remaining three - including the massive NEU - were re-balloting for action and threatening to coordinate walkouts.
But they will now each put the government's pay offer of a 6.5 per cent rise from next April to their members.
Union bosses insisted they have received cast-iron assurances funding for the pay rises will not squeeze school's frontline services.
At 6.5 per cent teachers have bagged the biggest pay rise of all public sector workers who have been awarded around 6 per cent.
Mr Sunak said the government's chequebook is now closed and unions can either like it or lump it.
He said: "Today’s offer is final. There will be no more talks on pay. We will not negotiate again on this year’s settlements. And no amount of strikes will change our decision."
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In their joint statement the teacher unions said: "This is the largest ever recommendation from the School Teachers’ Review Body.
"A 6.5% increase for teachers and school leaders recognises the vital role that teachers play in our country and ensures that teaching will continue to be an attractive profession.
"The Government has accepted the STRB’s recommendation and has agreed to bring forward wider reforms to reduce teacher and leader workload in partnership with all four unions.
“Importantly, the Government’s offer is properly funded for schools. The Government has committed that all schools will receive additional funding above what was proposed in March - building on the additional £2billion given to schools in the Autumn Statement.
"The Government will also provide a hardship fund of up to £40 million to support those schools facing the greatest financial challenges."
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