TODAY sees hundreds of teachers from the NEU (National Education Union) across Somerset go on strike.

Rallies, marches and picket lines are happening up and down the region in the hopes that this will put pressure on law-makers to increase their pay, which is currently below inflation.

One such rally, which started at 11am this morning, was at Temple Methodist Hall in Taunton's Upper High Street. The event was organised by the Taunton Trades Council and saw an impressive turnout.

Educators and support staff from all over the West Country joined together to share their experiences and show solidarity against a new striking bill, which would give employers permission to sack some workers from some service industry sectors.

Somerset County Gazette: People from all over gathered at the rally.People from all over gathered at the rally. (Image: Newsquest)

People from the council and supporters of the strikes spoke at the rally, which was headed up by Liz Payne-Ahmadi, Secretary for Taunton and West Somerset Trade Council.

The County Gazette spoke to Liza Spencer, NEU Regional Officer, at the rally. She spoke about the reasons for the strikes and the difficult situation that staff have been put in: "Since 2010, teachers have had a real term paycut of 23 per cent.

"This hasn't been funded by the Government, schools are having to fund their own pay. This has caused so many problems for schools.

"One in eight newly qualified teachers leave within a year.

"This last year, the Government fell short by 40% of its target to recruit new teacher trainees. Teachers aren't coming in and teachers are leaving.

"We are having to have classes taught by non-specialist teachers. For example, you might have a chemistry class taught by a non-chemistry teacher.

"If you work out the amount of overtime that teachers do, on average they get paid less than minimum wage. They are part of the bedrock of our society and they are the people that are getting treated really badly."

Somerset County Gazette: Trade Union Councils poster.Trade Union Councils poster. (Image: Newsquest)

 

A teacher at the rally added: "I sat down and worked out my per-hourly pay, and it's £10 an hour. The increased roles that I'm being given in my school outside of teaching just adds to my hours.

"It's like I'm giving them my time for free."

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Strike action is highly damaging to children’s education, particularly following the disruption that children have experienced over the past two years.

“We have been clear we want to support school leaders to do everything they can to keep as many children in school as possible."