The ordinarily quiet atmosphere of Buckingham was transformed on 1 February as teachers joined thousands across the country in strike action.
Held near the Royal Gaol, teachers stood and chanted together, demanding more money.
Across the UK, educators swapped the classroom for the picket line after the 300,000 members of the National Education Union (NEU) voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.
NEU Representative for Buckinghamshire, Rob Tucker said: “The profession’s state is one thing, but we have lost pay since 2010, meaning that experienced teachers now work a day for free. It means underinflation for all of that time.”
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Last week, one teacher present at the Buckingham strike said, ” I have been a teacher now for thirty years and this is the first time I felt that I need to go on strike because nobody is listening.”
The NEU initially declared seven days of walkouts in February and March but has said any individual school will only be affected by four of the days. However, one week after the national strike on 1 February, a teachers’ strike planned in Wales was called off after a new Welsh government pay offer.
According to the BBC on 8 February , The National Education Union said it would consult members and postpone its planned strike on 14 February.
Teachers have been offered an extra 1.5% on this year’s 5% pay award, as well as a 1.5% one-off payment.
The Welsh government said it was also making several commitments to help reduce teachers’ workloads in the short, medium and long term. The union has moved the walkout to March 2 while it consults with its members on the new offer.
The next national action for all eligible members in England and Wales is 15 March which is subject to change pending ongoing discussions between the goverment and the NEU.
