Five main teaching unions in NI accept formal pay offer

By Q Radio news

The five main teaching unions here have accepted a formal pay offer for 2019 and 2020.

An increase of 2 per cent will be back dated to the first of Septembrer 2019 with a further 2 per cent from September last year.

Education Minister Peter Weir says the rises will be subject to formal approval from the Department of Finance.

The pay award is applicable to all salary scales and teaching allowances.

Subject to receipt of final approval of the pay remit by the Department of Finance, it is anticipated that the pay award will be implemented in the May/June payrolls.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:

“Almost one year on from the Agreement which delivered a 4.25% backdated pay increase for teachers for 2017 and 2018 teachers in Northern Ireland will be receiving another pay increase which begins to close the gap with inflation since 2010.

“This pay award was delivered in very difficult circumstances brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The pandemic understandably put on hold the reviews that formed an integral part of the 2017-19 Pay and Workload Agreement, it is important that these reviews are now progressed.”

Justin McCamphill, NASUWT National Official Northern Ireland, said:

“It is important to note that this pay award was made without preconditions on the workforce. This stands in stark contrast with how NASUWT members in Further Education have been treated in Northern Ireland.

Not only is lecturer pay significantly behind schoolteacher pay but any offer made to date has depended on detrimental changes to the lecturer contract.

“The NASUWT is calling on the Department of Economy and the College employers to bring forward proposals to realign lecturer and teacher pay.”