HUNDREDS of teachers from across York, North and East Yorkshire were set to go out on strike today.

The national day of action was expected to see teachers and public sector workers hold a day of protest against what they say are unfair government reforms to their pensions.

However, MPs and education groups in our region called for the action to be called off as late as yesterday.

Nick Seaton, who chairs the Campaign for Real Education, said “children should be put first”.

He said: “I think it would be sensible for teachers to think of the welfare of the children and their families and help to keep as many schools open as the possibly can.”

York Press: schools closed panel

The Conservative MP for York Outer, Julian Sturdy, agreed.

He said the strikers needed to “face up to the reality of the situation”.

He said: “Remarkably, few public sector workers voted for these strikes and as a result hundreds of schoolchildren may see their schools shut on Thursday, causing great inconvenience to families across York.”

He said he hoped the strike could be avoided and that “positive talks between unions and the Government could continue”.

The action today will see thousands of children having to stay at home as teachers join picket lines.

Amongt those affected in York are nine primary schools, which will be closed completely, and scores of others seeing lessons and classes disrupted.

Pete Dwyer, City of York Council's director of adults, children and education, said: “We acknowledge the disruption it's caused to families across the city. Thank you to head teachers who have strived to maintain education.

“Where that's not been possible, they have maintained good clear communication with parents.”

However, Anne Swift, the executive member for the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in York and North Yorkshire, said: “I think people are very upset it has come to this but we are getting a lot of public support.

“People realise that the Government is not playing fair.”

The NUT and Association of Teachers and Lecturers said teachers were taking industrial action against changes which will leave them working longer, paying more and getting less when they retire.

For up-to-date information about school closures in York, visit york. gov.uk/schools/closures/ In North Yorkshire, visit northyorks.gov.uk/schoolclosures and in East Yorkshire, visit eastriding.gov.uk/cfas/inclusion-services/school-closures/


Anger over ‘pay more, work for longer’ plan

Teachers are striking today because the Government wants them to receive their occupational pension at the same time as the state pension.

With the state pension age set to rise to 66 by 2020, teachers will no longer enjoy the current pensionable age of 60.

On average, workers will also have to pay 3.2 percentage points more in annual contributions phased in between 2012 and 2014.

One of the main reasons for the reforms, according to the Government, is that people are living longer.