The NEU will today (Saturday 2 March) open its preliminary
electronic ballot over pay and funding. Around 300,000 teacher
members working in maintained schools and sixth forms across
England will be consulted on whether they are prepared to take
part in industrial action to win funding from Government for pay
and additional staffing resources.
This forms part of an ongoing campaign to secure a long-term
correction in pay. Additional funding would ensure that a
fully-funded, above-inflation pay rise could be achieved.
The preliminary ballot opens on 2 March and closes on 28 March.
The questions are:
- Do you agree that you should
receive an above-inflation pay rise for 2024/25?
- Would you vote “yes” to strike
action for a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise that
constitutes a meaningful step towards a long-term correction in
pay, and further funding to provide improved levels of staffing
provision in schools, colleges and education services.
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National
Education Union, said:
"'s approach to this year's
pay review is nothing short of insulting. Having promised a
timelier process for 2023/24, she has done nothing but delay. Her
remit letter to the School Teachers' Review Body was weeks late,
and she also missed the deadline for evidence. There is no reason
to suppose the education secretary has changed her tune since
last year.
"There is every indication the Government will be unwilling to
offer more than 1-2% in the next pay round, so we are putting our
members on alert that action may be necessary to ensure a proper
pay and funding offer for teachers. Rather than allow the
Government to undo the gains of last year, the NEU will seek to
push forward in its campaign for a long-term correction on pay.
"We believe that the case for additional funding for pay and
staffing provision is clear and obvious. Fair pay is not just a
request, but a necessity. Schools deserve proper funding for
staffing provision - and also so that schools have the necessary
funding to cover a pay rise.
“Real terms pay cuts have been central to many of the issues
blighting schools and colleges. It affects recruitment, with
Government unable to meet its training targets year on year. We
also see teachers leaving in droves, and too many are leaving
just a handful of years after qualifying. And as the updated
School Cuts website shows, 70% of schools have lost funding since
2010. School and college leaders have been making ends meet for
too long. The Treasury's attempts to cut corners by not
fully-funding pay awards makes it even harder for heads to
balance the books.
"Last year members stood together and won new money for schools
including a funded settlement on teacher pay. should be aware that our
members will not sit back and accept an unfunded, below-inflation
pay rise."
