Northern Ireland's teaching unions have launched a joint pay campaign, stating they believe only politicians can avert possible strike action over pay across schools.
The Ulster Teachers' Union has joined forces with the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), the National Education Union (NEU) and National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) in a joint pay campaign.
It comes as members of the Unite Union who work for the Education Authority (EA) have been on strike in recent weeks over pay disputes.
Read more: School strikes leaving parents and children at 'breaking point'
These strikes have had an impact particularly on school transport and on some special schools throughout Northern Ireland.
Almost a year on since Northern Ireland's teachers submitted their initial pay claim to the Education Minister, they say there has still been no movement.
Arguing that an insulting pay offer for teachers could be a "recipe for trouble", General Secretary of the Ulster Teacher's Union, Jacquie White, said: “As expected the people we voted into Stormont last week have been unable to form a government and so the future of our education system hangs in the balance yet again.
“It is almost a year now since we submitted our initial pay claim. We then rejected the Minister’s derisory pay offer, which, in light of the rising cost of living, is an insult and yet still we have no movement.
“Teachers deserve a pay offer which recognises their value to society and acknowledges the contribution they have made in recent years to keep our ailing education system functioning in the face of a pandemic and continued underfunding. The offer we received was not that.
“As a union, UTU has not yet balloted members on industrial action, short of strike or not, and we are loathed to be pushed to that stage.
“But as time goes on without any movement it is little wonder teachers are becoming increasingly frustrated.
“Regardless of what any Education Minister may wish, teachers are not going away. We believe our pay claim is fair and equitable in the present climate and reflects the professionalism and ever increasing demands of the job we do.”
Other main teaching unions in Northern Ireland have echoed the UTU's sentiments.
Gerry Murphy, Northern Secretary of INTO added: “It is vital the politicians get their act together. Teachers have been in the front line and gone above and beyond in supporting children and young people in their care.
“Understandably they are becoming increasingly frustrated and indeed angry at how they’re being treated.”
Graham Gault, President of the NAHT, said the matter must be resolved as quickly as possible.
He added: "As principals the last thing we want is industrial action. We certainly don’t want to be returning to class in the autumn with this unresolved pay dispute hanging over our heads.”
Mark Langhammer, the senior regional official of the NEU, added: “What we need is for our politicians to take this issue seriously and recognise that teachers are essential workers who are key to the future well being of not only our society but our economy.
“Making them a pay offer which in effect amounts to a pay cut is a recipe for trouble.”
Read more: NI teaching union says members have voted for industrial action
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