The Government and education unions have agreed to 'intensive talks' in a bid to end a bitter dispute over teacher pay, conditions and workload reduction, they announced in a joint statement.
Teaching staff from several education unions have participated in several days of strike action over the last month. They are asking for an above-inflation pay rise and improvements in workload.
Union leaders say they will now enter into 'a period of intensive talks' which will focus on teacher pay, conditions, and workload reduction. A 'period of calm' will be in place over the next fortnight, with no further strike dates announced.
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Members are asking for above-inflation wage increases and extra money for schools to ensure pay rises do not come from existing budgets. Teacher salaries in England fell by an average of 11 per cent between 2010 and 2022, after taking rising prices into account, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Most state-school teachers in England and Wales had a 5 per cent pay rise in 2022.
In a joint statement issued this morning, the National Education Union said: "The Government and the education trade unions, Association of School and College Leaders, National Association of Head Teachers, NASUWT and National Education Union, have agreed to move into a period of intensive talks. The talks will focus on teacher pay, conditions and workload reduction.
"In order for talks to begin and, we hope, reach a successful conclusion, the NEU has confirmed it will create a period of calm for two weeks during which time they have said no further strike dates will be announced. The Education Secretary and all the unions will meet today (Friday 17 March), beginning intensive talks, which will continue over the weekend".
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