Members of a leading teachers' union are being balloted for strike action in a row over pay. The NASUWT said the Government and employers had failed to guarantee teachers and headteachers a fully-funded real-terms pay award of 12%, making the move towards walkouts necessary.
Ballot papers will be issued to members in England, Scotland and Wales from October 27 and the ballot will close on January 9. The union is recommending that members vote in favour of strikes and other forms of industrial action.
Meanwhile the National Education Union (NEU) said it will announce a timetable for a formal ballot and potential dates of strike action in the coming week. The union said that, in a preliminary online ballot of members in England and Wales, 86% of NEU teacher members said they would be prepared to strike for a fully-funded, above-inflation pay rise.
The NASUWT said ministers had failed to engage in negotiations, despite repeated calls to do so. NASUWT general secretary Patrick Roach said: “The NASUWT has done everything possible to seek a resolution to this dispute and to avoid escalation of industrial action in schools and colleges.
“The Government has failed to recognise the damaging impact of years of real-terms pay cuts on the morale of teachers and which is fuelling the teacher recruitment and retention crisis. The 5% pay award for teachers and headteachers is unacceptable at a time when inflation is running at more than 10% and it will result in even more financial misery for hard working teachers.
“The Government must ensure additional money is provided to schools and colleges to ensure that this year’s pay award does not become a lottery for teachers. Teaching is at the bottom of the graduate pay league table.
“Teachers need and deserve a fully-funded pay award which will begin the process of restoring the real-terms value of teachers’ pay. Ministers will be entirely responsible for industrial action unless they act immediately to deliver a better pay deal for teachers.”
The NEU's joint general secretaries Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney said: “Today’s ballot result is a clear statement from teachers that they cannot go on like this. Their pay has been eroded considerably in recent years, and with the growing cost-of-living crisis, our members will face even greater challenges to make ends meet.
“Successive Conservative governments have failed our members, our public services, and our children. The latest pay rise, which the present Government refuses to fully fund, will simply not do. Our members expect a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise and have today demonstrated their willingness to consider strike action in pursuit of one.
“The Government will point to current economic challenges, but the fact is that on its watch – since 2010 – the situation for our members has worsened considerably. Rocketing inflation comes after more than a decade of pay erosion, which has already seen a real-terms cut in teacher salaries of 20% since 2010. The value of a £30,000 starting salary, promised at the 2019 election and introduced this September, has already been wiped out by inflation.
“The Government is fully aware of the recruitment and retention crisis which has raged in the education sector throughout its time in office. It routinely misses its targets for trainees, and by its own measure 40% of teachers leave within 10 years of qualifying.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “It is incredibly disappointing that some unions are threatening industrial action in schools. Strike action will damage children’s education and disrupt parents’ lives.
“Given the impact of the pandemic on children, it’s more important than ever that strike action is avoided. We have confirmed the highest pay awards for teachers in a generation – 8.9% for new teachers and 5% for experienced teachers and leaders – recognising their dedication and hard work.”
