Industrial action in schools could be on the cards as teachers reject pay offer

By Q Radio News

Strike action in schools in Northern Ireland could be on the cards after teachers here rejected the latest pay offer from the employers and Department of Education.

Of those surveyed by teachers' union, the NASUWT, 88% of members rejected the latest pay offer for 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Representatives from the union said 54% of members revealed the pay offer made them seriously considering leaving teaching. 

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: 

“NASUWT members are united and clear in their message to the Northern Ireland Executive that the latest pay offer is an insult to the dedication and hard work shown by teachers across Northern Ireland. 

“This pay offer has come after months and months of delay and represents a further damaging real-terms cut to teachers’ salaries at a time of surging inflation and a deepening cost of living crisis. 

“This pay offer is an insult to the hard work, dedication and commitment of teachers. 

“The failure to tackle excessive teacher workload is further adding to the anger of teachers. 

“NASUWT members are clear that they are prepared to take action if the Minister does not deliver a substantially better deal which addresses teachers’ concerns on pay and workload.”

However, the Minister for Education, Michelle McIlveen has said she is disappointed with a lack of progress on teachers’ pay negotiations.

She said: “I am disappointed that the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council (NITC) have rejected the pay offer that was made to them last week.

“Management Side had offered a two-year pay deal worth 3.2% from 1 September 2021.  The pay award would have seen the removal of the bottom point of the current teachers’ pay scale and the addition of a further point at the top of the scale, with a similar approach applied to each of the pay ranges for school leaders.”

In conclusion, the Minister said: “This pay offer had been made despite a very difficult financial situation and I had hoped that this would have led to a completion of the pay negotiations for 2021/22 and 2022/23 during the current mandate. Management Side will now take time to consider how the matter should be progressed before engaging again with NITC.”

(Teachers have rejected the latest pay offer from bosses)