STRIKE action over redundancy concerns at a Southampton School, which was scheduled to take place this week, has been suspended.

Members of the National Education Union at Valentine Primary School say they have come to an agreement with Southampton City Council officers to suspend the walk-outs so “formal negotiations” can take place.

They add that officers willl meet with trade union representatives and school leaders in “a formal setting” tomorrow, in “an effort to resolve the dispute”.

The two-day strike over the threat of redundancies and increased workload at the school was due to be held on March 20 and March 21.

Nevertheless, the NEU adds that strike action planned for April 2, 3, and 4 will go ahead unless a negotiated settlement can be reached.

As reported, staff and pupils took to the steps outside the city’s Civic Centre last Thursday (March 14) to protest their concerns.

Members of the NEU voted for strike action for one day, with two days the following week and three at the start of April.

In a ballot of its members, 100 per cent voted for the action on a turnout of 75 per cent.

Last week, city council education chief Darren Paffey said that the walk-out by staff “seems unnecessary” as no job losses are planned.

A city council spokesperson added that “the school governors have confirmed there are in fact no planned redundancies, and the NEU is aware of this”.

However, the NEU claimed that the council was being “disingenuous” and the need to eliminate a budget deficit of £900,000 over a five year period “represents a threat to jobs” at the school, even if losses are not currently tabled.