STRIKING teacher unions sparked anger today by holding picnics in the park while kids and parents suffered.
Millions of pupils were expected to have been hampered as around 60,000 National Education Union members walked out over pay.
NEU members in Derby enjoy a picnic in the sunshine
The National Education Union East Midlands branch holds a picnic in the park
Left-wing bosses warned the worst was yet to come as all four education unions could coordinate “a general strike” in the autumn.
Today’s strike meant end-of-term activities like school trips and sports days were scrapped due to staff shortages.
A further walkout – the eighth one nationally – is planned for Friday where the NEU will hold a festival picnic with members.
Some started early, with the Derby City chapter laying out their blankets in the sunshine.
Former education minister Jonathan Gullis said they should “get off the picnic blanket and back into classrooms.”
The teacher-turned-Tory MP told the Sun: “If ever there was an advert to discredit the teacher profession, it is those putting their selfish party politics over parents and pupils.”
Incoming NEU leader Daniel Kebede said he could team up with other unions to inflict the most disruptive strike in a decade if ministers rebuff their inflation-busting pay demands.
At a London rally he said: “If this Government doesn’t deliver there will be a general strike in education, get ready now!”
The NAHT, ASCL and the NASWUT unions are all expected to reballot their members for fresh strike action.
The independent pay panel is expected to recommend a 6.5 per cent pay rise for teachers next year, although Rishi Sunak has hinted he could overrule them for a lower offer.
It is unlikely union bosses will swallow anything less than an inflation-proofing hike.
An NEU member on a picnic rug in the park
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