the word on the street

WENDY ALVERANGA (BELOW RIGHT)

”I’m working 11-hour days, plus we have more and more SEND children coming into the class that we don’t have the training or the capacity to deal with. This means that children without additional needs are suffering. So today it is important that we come out together and stand up for what’s right.”

PAUL ROBERTS (above right)

“This is my first time on strike and it feels great to have solidarity with colleagues and like-minded people. We’re on strike to ensure the Government passes on funding for teacher wage increases, to support funding for students in schools, and to make sure that our working conditions improve. It’s time for the Government to start funding schools and students.” great turnout at our picket line at school, with loads of support from passing cars. People honking their horns and supporting us gave everybody a real lift.

“Having Kevin Courtney on the picket line with us gave our members a real boost. Because this isn’t just about London, it’s about members everywhere and having Kevin with us showed how much members across the country matter to the union. It felt great to be standing with him on such a historic day.”

Emma added: “If we cannot pay our teachers properly, if we cannot invest in education, then what are we as a country?”

“It’s really exciting to be on strike but also really important. I think it’s a much bigger issue than just pay. For me it’s about all kinds of conditions and the teacher retention crisis. So many students are being taught by loads of different cover staff. My message to the Government is: sort it out.”