A teaching union's ballot for industrial action has failed to reach the legal turnout threshold needed to call a strike despite those who did respond voting overwhelmingly in favour.
Nine out of ten teachers who voted in the NASUWT union's ballot were in favour of going on strike over pay and conditions. However the turnout of 42% was below the 50% threshold needed for a strike to be called legally. Wales' figure was slightly higher at 46%, just 4% short of the threshold.
Teaching staff including headteachers, principals and other school workers in Wales have been campaigning for months for a better pay deal after rejecting the Welsh Government's offer of a 5% increase in November, labelling it an "insult." Inflation is currently above 10% and at a 40-year high and workers want a larger increase to combat soaring living costs.
Read more: Will teachers go on strike in 2023? Everything you need to know as teachers ballot for strike
NASUWT is one of a number of teaching unions which has been balloting its members for industrial action, a list which also includes the NEU Cymru, NAHT and ASCL. The union confirmed on Thursday that nine out of ten members who voted supported strike action over pay while 95% of members who voted also supported action short of strike.
However, turnout across the ballots in England and Wales was 42%, below the 50% threshold needed to legally take industrial action. School strikes may yet be on the cards if other unions vote in favour of striking with the other unions likely to return their ballot results by early next week.
NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach criticised the UK government's legislation requiring a 50% turnout and said it was "clear that our members are sending a strong message to the government on the need to address teachers’ pay concerns." He added that the union remained in formal disputes with ministers and employers.
“Whilst the government’s anti-trade union legislation prevents members in state funded schools and colleges from taking industrial action, we remain in formal disputes with ministers and employers and will be continuing to take forward our campaigning for a better deal for teachers.
“The readiness of our members to support industrial action demonstrates the anger of the profession and the need for governments in England and Wales to engage in meaningful negotiations to address the deep concerns of our members. Our campaign to fight for the real terms pay awards that teachers and headteachers deserve continues.”
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