NEU to consider strike call-off if progress made in DfE talks

The National Education Union has said that if “substantive progress” is made in further talks this week with the Department for Education, it is prepared to "recommend a pause” to next week’s strikes.

Education secretary Gillian Keegan has written to unions to invite them to formal talks on pay, conditions and reform, but only if the NEU agreed to call off strikes next week.

The NEU has said it had replied to the education secretary to “welcome the commitment to substantive and formal talks to resolve the dispute – which is fundamentally about pay and funding this year”. 

“In a sign of goodwill, if substantive progress can be made, we are prepared to recommend a pause to strikes next week to our national executive committee this Saturday.”

The union said it would only make the recommendation if the government comes forward with a serious proposal to end the dispute ahead of Saturday and it considers it compelling enough.

The government has been criticised over the ultimatum over strikes next week. The NEU said: "The government is not willing to begin negotiations until the NEU agrees, prior to the commencement of negotiations, to pause its action next week. It seems incredible to us that ministers are intent on putting this obstacle in the way of substantial negotiations.