"These are the people they are meant to be serving" Walsall Council leader hits out at striking teachers

Walsall Council's leader has criticised unions ahead of a strike which will shut or partially close at least 35 schools in the borough.

More than 100 schools across the Black Country and Staffordshire will close tomorrow as teachers take part in strike action over pay and conditions.

Action has been called by two of the country's biggest teaching unions and has been arranged to coincide with a mass walk-out by public sector workers.

The nationwide action will see a day of disruption, with some schools closed altogether and scores of others partially shut to some year groups.

But Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said he 'feels sorry' for parents that will have to take a day off work to look after their children.

He said: "Unions are complaining that they aren't getting a salary increase but there are people out there without a job at all.

"My apologies go out to the parents who are being inconvenienced. These are the people they are meant to be serving."

Is Mike Bird right to criticise teachers, or do you back their strike? Have your say in the comments below.

Union bosses say the strike is necessary due to the Government's refusal to budge over what they call an 'unsustainable' workload that has been forced upon teachers.

Martin Lynch, Dudley NUT branch secretary, said: "We felt compelled to take this action because discussions with the Government have failed to bring any real movement over the key matters of wages, pensions and pay.

"We are sorry for the inconvenience to parents but feel it is vital that we address these issues both for our members and for the future of our education services."

Members of the National Union of Teachers and Unison have planned the walk-out in a long-running row over pay, pensions and workload.

They will be joined by members of the PCS, which covers job centres and civil service offices, GMB, Unite and the Fire Brigades Union as part of the biggest one-day strike over pay by public sector workers since 2010.

Many are set to gather outside Wolverhampton's Civic Centre from 9am onwards to take part in a mass demonstration.

Dozens of schools across the region have already sent letters out to parents detailing their plans for dealing with any disruption caused by the walk-outs.

And the number is expected to rise further with more schools expected to confirm today whether they will be affected.s

The NUT has previously said the strike had been set for tomorrow to cause 'minimum disruption to examinations'.

The union has added it 'deeply regrets' any disruption to parents and pupils.

Labour's shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt refused to condemn the strikes, describing trade unions as 'an important part of civilised society'.

He said: "I want all teachers in the schools, teaching the young people, but, you know, we have independent trades unions in this country and that is an important part of civil society."