Thousands of teachers who are members of the National Education Union will take strike action on Wednesday 1st February across East Sussex and Brighton.
This is alongside hundreds of thousands more nationwide as well as civil servants, university lecturers and train drivers.
The strike will see schools closing across the area as teachers take action over a fully funded pay rise.
Teachers' pay had been repeatedly cut over the last decade with the latest pay award the worst yet.
This is having a significant impact on schools being able to recruit and retain teacher and the government has once again missed its recruitment targets. The issue is particularly acute in Sussex where rents and housing costs are some of the highest in the country.
The strike is also over a fully funded rise as teachers in the NEU reject the government position of schools finding the money for pay event below inflation pay awards out of current budgets, which cuts education provision by forcing schools to cut elsewhere.
Local secondary school teacher and NEU national Vice President Phil Clarke explained:
“Every year we present comprehensive evidence to the government about how cutting our pay in real terms means our schools can’t recruit and retain enough teachers. Parents know this when they hear that their children are being taught by non-specialists in important subjects or their teachers change frequently as staff move out of the profession.
"Yet year on year the government has ignored this. We have been left no choice but to strike and our ballot result – the biggest by any union since the government brought in even stricter laws restricting the right to strike in 2016 - shows how determined our member are to stand up for their pupils and themselves. “
“We invite parents and families to join our demonstrations and rallies on the 1st February”.
East Sussex and Brighton Demonstrations
Brighton 11am the Level
Eastbourne 11am Hyde Gardens
Hastings 11am The Pier
Funding Available For Tree Planting In Chichester District as National Tree Week Begins
West Sussex Firefighters And Emergency Services Carry Out Training Exercise In Chichester Harbour
Shoreham Lifeboat’s Festive Look Boosted By Family-Run Business
Final Touches Being Made To £2m Sussex Wastewater Site Upgrade
AllSaints Founder To Host Sustainable Fashion Show In Brighton To Raise Money For Homelessness In City
Chichester Community Warden Helping Fight Against Fraud This Christmas
Wealden Council Calls For Government Rethink On Winter Fuel Payment
Snowy Protest At Lewes County Hall Calls For Fossil Fuel Divestment
Local MP Tours Firefighters’ Centre In Littlehampton
Former Portslade Scout Leader Convicted Of 79 Child Sex Offences