Northern Ireland teachers will swap their classes for picket lines today telling bosses they are “tired of being taken for granted”.
The half day strike is expected to see teachers back in class by 12pm, however it is expected that without a deal being struck between unions and the Department of Education Tuesday’s action will be repeated in the coming weeks.
Teachers are expected to hold pickets at their schools ahead of rallies across Northern Ireland starting at round 10am to 10.30am. The strike action comes amid an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions with teachers saying they have suffered a ‘real-term’ pay cut due to below inflation raises. They also say they face increasing workloads and falling budgets with teachers having to pay for school resources out of their own pockets.
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One teacher said on Monday they are facing a “workload crisis” with staff at “breaking point” while another added “we are often working over 60 hours a week, but for 32.4 hours pay, how can that be fair?”.
It is understood most schools are to open as normal at around 12pm when the strike action is concluded. Speaking ahead of the walkout, teaching union the NASUWT Tuesday’s strike “follows a concerted campaign of action short of strike action across all grant-aided schools”. The union is calling for a ‘fully funded’ 12% pay award for 2022/23.
According to NASUWT research the last 13 years have seen cuts of 38% to teachers’ pay in real terms. Today is the first time teachers have gone on strike since 2017.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “The failure of the Department of Education and employers to offer any improvements means we are left with no choice but to take this strike action.
“It is completely unacceptable to expect teachers’ pay to be cut again when we are facing the worst cost of living crisis seen for decades.
“Our members are not prepared to stand by while their pay packets shrink and their living costs rise. The Department of Education and employers must bring forward a substantially improved pay offer if they want to see an end to this dispute.”
Justin McCamphill, NASUWT National Official Northern Ireland, added: “What has been offered is not sufficient and is yet another real-terms cut which teachers cannot accept. The profession feels it has to take a stand to fight for decent pay, which recognises their professionalism and which will support them in the cost of living crisis.
“The Department of Education and employers need to act swiftly to offer a fair pay rise or risk further strike action. In taking part in this strike, teachers will be making clear that they are opposed to continuing cuts to their pay and living standards, and that the working conditions of teachers must urgently be improved.”
The union says that teachers have already lost thousands of pounds as a result of year-on-year pay cuts and the failure of salaries to keep pace with inflation since 2010. For example, a teacher at the start of the classroom main pay scale M1 has lost £44,669, while a teacher at the top of the classroom main pay scale M6 has lost £65,288, and an experienced teacher at the top of the Upper Pay Scale UPS3 has lost £76,064.
Also on Tuesday thousands of health workers will down tools. Marches to the City Hall rally from Belfast's three main hospitals are also planned.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “Active engagement has been taking place for many months between Management Side and Teachers’ Side of the Teachers’ Negotiating Committee (TNC) on a teachers’ pay settlement for 2021/22 and 2022/23. However, it is important to note these negotiations are taking place at a time of growing and unprecedented financial pressures within the education sector which continue to adversely impact schools, staff and ultimately children and young people.
“Management Side remains committed to continuing meaningful, active engagement with Trade Union colleagues to reach a resolution and ensure our teachers are fairly remunerated.”
Teachers are planning to assemble at rallies, along with health workers, at a series of rallies at:
*Belfast City Hall 10.30am
* Omagh Courthouse 10am
*Derry/Londonderry Guildhall 10am
* Ballymena EA Offices Ballee 10am
*Newry Bank Parade Townhall 10am
* Bangor Rathgael House, Balloo 10am
*Coleraine Town Hall 10am.
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