People in teaching jobs in Essex and London are preparing for industrial action next week in a dispute over classroom conditions and remuneration.

National Union of Teachers (NUT) members in Epping Forest and Harlow are set to join picket lines on March 26th and some schools are expected to close as a result.

The industrial action will be the latest in a series of strikes from the union, whose members were joined by those from the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers in a march on Downing Street towards the end of 2013.

Teachers want the government to communicate in an attempt to end excessive workloads and reform the new performance-related pay and pension schemes.

Harlow and Epping Forest NUT secretary Murray Sackwild told East London and West Essex Guardian Series: "Teacher workload is currently unsustainable and the thought of doing the job until 68 is driving many away from the job.

"Teacher morale is at dangerously low levels. Children need confident teachers who are fresh and well motivated not tired and demoralised."

He said the union members apologise for the inconvenience the strike will cause parents but there is strong support for a high quality education in the UK - something that will require well-motivated teachers.

Education secretary Michael Gove has criticised the action and accused unions of standing in the way of reforms that will improve teaching in the UK.

NUT general secretary Christine Blower responded by accusing Mr Gove of persistently refusing to address the root causes of the ongoing dispute over pay, pensions and conditions of service.

Now, more than 1,000 teachers in the London and south-east region are set to strike.

Tell us what you think of the dispute. Should teachers be striking? Should the government be listening? Will you be taking part in the industrial action?