Teachers withdraw the second day of planned strike action

TEACHERS have withdrawn the second day of planned strike action over the way their school is managed, but their union accused its chairman of governors of “misleading” comments in a letter to parents.

The 12 members of NASUWT at Chepstow School in Monmouthshire said they decided not to walk out as planned on April 26 as “a gesture of goodwill” after a meeting with the union, Monmouthshire County Council and arbitration service ACAS.

The decision follows a one-day strike on April 17. The union members had planned seven further days of strikes in a key exam period.

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: “Our members have taken this decision despite the inflammatory, inaccurate and misleading letter written to parent/carers inviting them to a meeting on the evening of Thursday, 26 April.

“The claim implicit in the letter from the chair of governors that it was ‘the governors’ perception’ that the action was planned to cause disruption to pupils about to sit external examinations is unworthy and could not be further from the truth.

“Likewise, the suggestion that there is no facility for ‘Group Complaint’ is risible.

“Our members have offered this breathing space so that constructive dialogue can take place with the Monmouthshire authority with a view to resolution.”