"Anger" among teachers prompts escalation of industrial action

Wednesday 15 November 2023

Teachers have reacted with “anger” to the Government's improved pay offer for headteachers, with one union confirming it will step up its industrial action.

The next stage in the long-running pay dispute is set to see the NASUWT step up its "action short of strike action" with "continuous" effect from next Monday, with its members withdrawing from almost all activities outside the normal timetable for lessons.

NASUWT members have been instructed not to attend meetings or briefings at either end of the core school day, except where arrangements for time off in lieu has been confirmed in advance.

The action will also include not taking part in parents' evenings, as well as supervision duties or school trips taking place outside normal attendance times.

In an email sent to NASUWT members on Monday evening, the union noted that the Government had made a further award to members of the National Association of Headteachers recently.

Pictured: The NASUWT union noted that the Government had made a further award to members of the NAHT recently "despite the continual statements made to NASUWT that there is no further funding available for 2023".

The NASUWT stated: "This [further award] is despite the continual statements made to NASUWT that there is no further funding available for 2023, which was integral to our pragmatic approach over this award – NASUWT is very aware of the anger of members due to this announcement.

"In addition, and despite States Employment Board officers informing us that an additional 15 working days have been agreed by headteachers to release the payment, we are aware that members have been told by headteachers in a number of settings that no additional work is required of them."

The union also stated that Education Reform funding intended to benefit the whole school community had "apparently been diverted to pacify one particular group to the detriment of all others", describing this situation as "deeply concerning".

The teaching unions have been seeking a higher pay increase than the 7.9% accepted by other public sector unions, criticising the proposed rise as below the rate of inflation and continuing a series of pay cuts in real terms.

While the NASUWT first started action short of strike action in late June, the other main union, the NEU, has staged several days of strike action.

The NEU confirmed last week that three days of action scheduled for next week would be postponed as a gesture of goodwill following the disruption caused by Storm Ciarán at the start of this month, but that further strikes were anticipated in December.

The Government has been asked for comment.

Pictured top: NASUWT members have taken part in rallies in support of their pay claim.