Today (Monday) the National Education Union is commencing a new
national ballot of teacher members in England.
The dispute between Government and the National Education Union
for a fully funded pay increase which stops the decline in
teacher recruitment and retention remains unresolved. Therefore,
the union is re-balloting teacher members working in England’s
state-funded schools. Re-balloting of our members is necessary as
the current ballot is only effective as a mandate for strike
action during a six-month period. The legitimacy of the
current ballot ends on 13 July 2023
This second ballot, opening today and closing on 28 July 2023,
asks members:
Are you prepared to take part in strike action in furtherance
of this dispute?
Commenting on the opening of the ballot, Dr Mary Bousted
and Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretaries of the National
Education Union, said:
“Due to the lack of engagement from Government the NEU has been
put in the position of re-balloting its members to continue
the dispute, seeking a fully-funded pay offer which
meets their expectations. The pay and funding offer made by
following six days of talks
in March was simply not good enough, and teachers branded it an
‘insult’. Our members rejected it by 98% on a two-thirds
turnout, a very clear message to Government that they must
try far harder.
“Indeed, with four education unions balloting members for strike
action in the autumn term this should be a wake-up call. Our
re-ballot would allow the NEU to co-ordinate action with other
teacher unions in the autumn term if Government does not provide
a settlement to the dispute. It is never too late for the
education secretary to come to the negotiating table and make an
improved offer.”
