"Yet, our management has decided not to implement and embed those practices for our colleagues so we are all treated with fairness.” The aim is to ensure every member of staff is "given the same rights – the same contractual rights for sick pay," she added. Ms Iqbal's co-rep Mr Savier - a languages teacher - is dismayed at how this issue has rumbled on without resolution. "They have pushed back a first offer to meet until Friday – after the second round. It just shows that maybe they haven’t put the priority where it’s needed." NEU regional officer Glenn Kelly also questioned the timing of this meeting. Whilst the union "welcomes" the willingness to meet, he believes it's "odd" to call for talks after a second set of strikes.