The Twickenham CLP attended – and was invited to speak at – the National Education Union Rally at York House today. Around two hundred people heard how our teachers are overworked, underpaid – and burning out.

The NEU strikes were very well supported with twenty schools closed for the day due to industrial action. Once they had finished their picketing duties, NEU members made their way to York House with perhaps two hundred or so present to hear speeches from a number of speakers’ including Paul Cox and Susan O’Conner of the NEU.

There was also a moving speech from a primary school teacher who outlined his weekly work schedule – including running after hours clubs for the pupils – and who said he simply hasn’t got time to think. One of the highlights of the morning was when the union reps were asked to identify themselves – whereupon they were all cheered to the echo!

Two members of the Twickenham CLP spoke at the event: John Edmonds, former General Secretary of the GMB Union; and Eva Tutchell, our Vice Chair and a fomer teacher in Teddington. John explained that both his daughters are teaching assistants and that they know that their future depends on the success of this strike. He also warned that stamina was needed to see this campaign through to the end. Eva deplored the conditions that today’s teachers have to put up with and said simply, “I wouldn’t teach now.”

The Twickenham CLP recognises that it will not be possible to retain and recruit the teachers we need until pay and contitions improve; and it urges this government to get round the negotiating table with our teachers and our other striking public servants.