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Teachers plan protest march on strike day

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Plans have been announced for a march on October 1 in the city by two teaching unions.

Earlier this month, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and NASUWT revealed they would take strike action against pension changes and working arrangements.

Now, they have confirmed members will meet by the war memorial in Victoria Park, in Leicester, at 10am on the day, before marching down New Walk at 10.30am to Town Hall square.

It is not yet known how many schools will be forced to shut because of the action.

Ian Leaver, assistant secretary for Leicester's branch of the NUT, said: "We are still collecting information on which schools will be closed, but expect almost all will be.

"We also expect hundreds of teachers to join us on the march, along with their families and friends."

Singers Alun Parry and Grace Petrie will performing for marchers

Union leaders say that earlier strike action has already led to an improved pensions offer, but are pushing for more changes. They say they are being asked to pay in more for less return.

In November 2011 similar strike action closed hundreds of schools in Leicester and Leicestershire as part of the pension row, and in September last year, staff were asked to work to rule in a bid to force education secretary Michael Gove to the negotiating table. There was also strike action in July 2011.

It's believed NUT and NASUWT members make up about 80 per cent of the teaching workforce in the city and county.

The regional rally is expected to culminate in a one-day, all-out national strike before the end of the autumn term.

It will be up to individual head teachers to decide whether a school can remain open.

However, union leaders hope the early notification will give parents time to find alternative childcare on the day.

Councillor Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for schools, has urged the Government to engage with the unions to find a solution to the long-running disput.

However, she said: "I fear this will not happen in the short term and the lives of families and the learning of our young people is going to be disrupted.

"A decision to close a school is a serious one, but governors may feel it is unavoidable. We will ask those schools affected to ensure they inform parents at the earliest opportunity."

Teachers plan protest march on strike day


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