Teachers' union set for strike ballot over pay
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The first national strike by teachers for more than two decades is looming as a result of Gordon Brown's determination to limit public sector pay rises.
Ministers are poised to announce a pay rise of 2 per cent this month in line with the clampdown on public sector pay. But with the cost of living rising by about 4 per cent a year, the unions argue that the ceiling is unfair.
Britain's biggest teachers' union, the National Union of Teachers, has pledged to ballot its members on strike action if the award is below the level of inflation. Teachers' reaction to the award, the first pay deal in the public services in 2008, will be seen as a barometer for the future of the Government's public sector pay policy.
The Prime Minister emphasised his determination yesterday to hold firm by rejecting an above-inflation pay rise for MPs, despite reports that their pay review board was recommending a 2.8 per cent increase.
He insisted the rise should be limited to 1.9 per cent, in line with the budgeted increase for the police. Speaking on BBC 1's Andrew Marr Show, he promised more generous settlements for police, nurses, teachers and soldiers in future. "It is important in this year we break the back of inflation," he said. "In future, we will do better by the police, we can do better by nurses and teachers, we will do better by the Army."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments