A UNION leader said Worcestershire teachers taking part in walkouts are "in it for the long haul".
Sean McCauley, Worcestershire branch joint secretary for the National Education Union, said teachers didn't want to strike as they will lose pay but said they had "no option".
He was speaking as teachers walked out of county schools today (Wednesday, March 1) as part of a second day of regional walkouts by the National Education Union (NEU).
"We have 3,000 members in Worcestershire and a good proportion of them are taking part in the strike," he said.
"We have also had more pickets out at Worcestershire schools, if that is an indication of the success.
"We have no option but to strike, the government won't sit down and discuss pay.
"Any pay award should be fully funded so heads are not having to scramble around their budgets for us to get a pay rise.
"Our members are in this for the long haul. No one expected it to be over after one or two days of strike action.
"We have called strikes on March 15 and 16.
"This isn't just about pay, it is about the future of education.
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"Parents (opposed to strikes) are talking about this generation of students having already been impacted by Covid.
"We agree, class sizes are the worse they have ever been. Teachers are leaving the profession, not being replaced - we want to make sure this generation doesn't suffer anymore."
Mr McCauley spoke as he was heading to a rally in Birmingham with county members, on a coach which left from Croft Road car park.
The strikes saw Chawson Community First School and Witton Middle School, both in Droitwich, forced to completely close.
Among the schools that suffered partial closures were Red Hill CE Primary School in Worcester, Westlands First School in Droitwich, Blackminster Middle School in Evesham, Swan Lane First School in Evesham, Vale of Evesham School in Evesham, Pinvin CE First School in Pershore and St Nicholas' CE Middle School in Pershore.
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We previously reported that Worcester MP Robin Walker said the NEU's decision to pursue strike action was "desperately disappointing".
Mr Walker, a former minister in the Department for Education, said it was in "everyone's interests to get the dispute resolved".
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan also said it was "hugely disappointing" the NEU had not called strike action off.
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