Teachers in England vote for industrial action in autumn term in pay dispute

Teachers in England represented by the NASUWT union have voted in favour of industrial action in a dispute over pay.

Nearly nine out of 10 teacher members who voted in the ballot backed strike action.

The union – which passed the 50% ballot turnout required by law – has said it plans to stage continuous action short of strike action starting in September.

Dates for strike action in the autumn term will also be considered and it will be coordinated with other unions where possible, the union said.

Overall, 88.5% of NASUWT teacher members in England who voted in the ballot backed strikes and 94.3% backed action short of strikes, with a turnout of 51.9%.

Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said: “Today our members have sent a strong message to the government and to employers that teachers demand a better deal on pay and to address excessive workload and working hours.

“Our members have secured the largest mandate for industrial action by the NASUWT in over a decade, exceeding the government’s anti-trade union ballot thresholds.

“We have today written to the government and to employers confirming the prospect for industrial action in schools the length and breadth of the country from this autumn.”

Mr Roach explained it is the government who is “ultimately responsible” for teachers’ pay and working conditions and called for Ministers to “get back to the negotiating table”.

He claimed record numbers of teachers and headteachers are leaving the profession due to “excessive” and “debilitating” workload demands.

Many are also reporting anxiety, work-related stress and even self-harm because of the job pressures, he added.

The School Teachers’ Review Body recommended a 6.5% pay award for teachers and headteachers.

While union members have expressed that teachers deserve better than “just another real terms pay cut”.

Four teaching unions are involved in the dispute with the government and are calling for an increase in pay above inflation.

They are also asking for extra money to ensure the pay rise does not come from existing school budgets.

Most teachers at state schools in England received a 5% rise for the year 2022 to 2023.

After mounting pressure, the government offered an extra £1,000 one-off payment, raised next year's offer to 4.3% for most teachers, and starting salaries of £30,000.

The Department for Education (DfE) said this was "fair and reasonable" and assured that schools would receive an additional £2.3 billion in the next two years.

However, all four unions rejected the offer.

“Ministers cannot continue to wring their hands and do nothing,” Mr Roach said.

“If the Government won’t take the action needed to end excessive workload and working hours, we will take action in workplaces across the country to protect our members.

“Our members deserve better and pupils deserve better, too.”