Strike action in two South Staffordshire schools called off
Planned strikes at two schools in the constituency have been suspended
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire MP Mike Wood has welcomed news planned strikes at two schools in the constituency have been suspended.
Teachers at Wombourne High School and Kinver High School were set to walk out tomorrow (Tuesday), and January, 14, 15, 27, 28 and 29 as well as February 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the second round of industrial action regarding a dispute between union members and the Invictus Education Trust over "directed time working arrangements."
But Invictus and the National Education Union (NEU) said strikes are paused this week to allow a meeting to take place today (Monday) to discuss a final issue of nine which had been raised by the union.
Mr Woods said: "“Excellent news that the strikes at Wombourne High School and Kinver High School have been suspended ahead of talks to resolve the dispute.
This will be a huge relief to the families of children who were due to be affected by strikes scheduled for three days this week.
"I’ve met with Invictus Trust and am pleased that they and the NEU have worked to secure this pause in the industrial action.
"Clearly the priority has to be to make sure that pupils are getting the education that they need and deserve.
"This is particularly urgent for those sitting important exams this summer.
"Remote learning is simply not an adequate substitute for classroom learning with a teacher.
"It does sound as though both sides are approaching Monday’s meeting in good faith with areal wish to find agreement.
" I am told that the two sides have come together over eight of the nine issues that had originally been raised by the NEU, and they need to find an agreement on the ninth point."
