Strikes have been forced on us, says Neath teacher

TEACHERS are being attacked from all sides, a Neath teacher has said. 
Roberto De Benedictis's comments followed an announcement that teachers in Wales would strike in a dispute over pay, working conditions and pensions. 
Unions NUT and NASUWT are organising a series of actions which, if their demands aren't met, will mean strikes in Wales this autumn. 
The action will also include rallies across England and Wales in April and May, rolling strike action starting in the North East on June 27.
Mr De Benedictis, who is a teacher in Llangatwg Comprehensive School, divisional secretary of the Tawe Afan Nedd branch of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and elected member of the General Teaching Council, described teachers as feeling dissatisfied and disillusioned.
Speaking about the strikes he said: "This is something which, we think has been forced upon us as a profession.
"Decisions taking place in Westminster have left us with no other choice.
"Attacks are coming from every direction."
Yesterday a spokesman for the Welsh Government said it was keen to resolve the dispute and discussions with the two unions were continuing. 
And a spokesman for the English Department for Education said the announcements were very disappointing.