As teachers take part in strike action today around the country, many gathered in a Teesside town centre to protest for better conditions and wages.

The Northern Echo visited Centre Square in Middlesbrough this afternoon (February 1) to speak to teachers and union members taking part in strikes calling for better working conditions and wages for education professionals.

Many gathered by the Bottle of Notes sculpture as speakers addressed those striking, calling on the Government to provide education with more funding and engage with unions over real-terms pay negotiations.

One union representative said if the Government did not listen to them, they would be forced to escalate and plans have been made for further strike action which is planned to take place in March.

Read more: Teachers strike in Darlington as parents & union reps show support

The Northern Echo:

Merike Williams, 37, a primary school teacher in Stockton and NEU spokesperson, said she was taking part in the strikes to protest against poor funding for schools and the "pitiful" pay increase offered to teachers.

She said: "I'm here because schools have got no funding, and the pitiful pay rise that teachers have been offered has to come out of existing school budgets, which are already overstretched, rather than the government opening their coffers and giving us what we deserve.

"The NEU are looking for a fully-funded pay rise that is at least in line with inflation.

"Inflation is rising exponentially, which is why we haven't put an exact figure on it, but we need something that means that our members are not relying on foodbanks.

"That our members are no longer choosing between heating and eating, that our members can actually afford to put fuel in their car to be able to get to work in the first place.

"All of those things are happening to friends of mine in the teaching profession and enough is enough. It has to change."

Read more: LIVE: Hundreds of teachers in North East strike over pay

The Northern Echo:

Members and representatives from organisations such as the NEU, Unite, Unison, UCU, and the TUC gathered in the square off Albert Road to call on Government to "stop attacking the right to strike" and negotiate with them in good faith on public sector pay.

This comes after figures published by the TUC reveal the average public servant is £203 a month worse off compared to 2010 once inflation has been taken into account.

TUC have also said these demonstrations serve to raise awareness regarding the Government's new 'anti-strike Bill' and to show support for protecting the right to strike against government attacks.

According to the organisation, up to 500,000 workers will be on strike, with more than 2 million workers and over 30 trade unions taking part in strike action on the same day.

Speaking on the industrial action, Liz Blackshaw, UC Regional Secretary, said:"The right to strike is a fundamental British liberty, but the government is threatening to sack workers in the North East for exercising that basic right.

“Nobody should lose their job if they take lawful action to win a better deal at work.

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The Northern Echo:

“It's undemocratic, unworkable and very likely illegal.

“That’s why today we’re standing up for our right to strike, for our public services – and for the hundreds of thousands of workers striking to defend their pay and conditions.

“Our message to ministers is this – stop attacking our workers in the North East and start negotiating with their unions in good faith on public sector pay.”