NEU president praises Keswick picnic demonstration as a success

The National Education Union staged a picnic in the park protest at Ftiz Park, Keswick on July 7.

Staff in the NEU are continuing their campaign to win above-inflation pay rises after early April 2023, a pay and funding offer from the government was rejected by 98 per cent of union members on a 66 per cent turnout.

Their sister unions held similar votes with similar results, with the message to education secretary Gillian Keegan loud and clear.

A re-ballot of NEU teacher members in state schools opened on May 15 and will close on July 28.

Louise Atkinson, president of the NEU and former Carlisle City Council member, said the picnic event was a success.

Louise Atkinson (Image: NQ)

She said: “It was a really good turnout, it’s good for our members to get together.

“The teachers there lost a day’s wage taking action that day, and so there is an element of them all supporting each other.

PCN sustained by striking NEU member (Image: NEU)

“No one wants to take strike action, but this shows the strength of feeling.”

The event was attended by families as well as union members, showing the general public’s support for the NEU’s cause, Louise said.

NEU members attending the Keswick demonstration on July 7 (Image: NEU)

While this picnic deviated slightly from their more traditional picket lines, Louise explained the impact they’ve had using the latter: “We have seen some really vibrant picket lines with young teachers in attendance.

“I think picket lines are really important as well, because you can speak to the parents more directly, but if we are in the situation of having to take more action next year, we will be looking at doing more demonstrations.

“We hope that we do not have to take any more action, but we will if we need to.
“We are certainly upping the pressure – we’re in the process of re-balloting our members, and we’re looking very likely to hit those thresholds to give us a mandate for further action.”