Commenting on today’s strike in England by NEU teacher members in
schools and sixth form colleges, Kevin Courtney and Dr
Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretaries of the National Education
Union, said:
"The fact that NEU members are again reluctantly having to take
strike action symbolises the complete failure by the Government
to make a serious and credible pay and funding offer to the
profession.
“The Government is acting in a fit of pique and has spent the
whole of April doing nothing about our dispute. 98% of NEU
members rejected the pay and funding offer as 'insulting’, on a
two-thirds turnout. Other unions have followed suit, resulting in
the whole profession speaking with one voice. All that has achieved this month is
to strengthen the resolve of teachers.
“On Tuesday, NEU teachers working in England’s schools and sixth
form colleges will again be on strike. But it is never too late
for the Government to come to its senses and pick up the phone.
We have always said that we are happy to meet without
preconditions, and would be happy to look at a new, improved
offer. We will also be re-balloting to ensure that the campaign
for a fully-funded pay rise continues in step with members’
wishes.
"Teachers have lost 23% in real terms against RPI inflation since
2010, with pay losses significantly worse than those for other
professions. Research by the NFER, IFS and Public First all say
that teacher pay has declined compared relatively to other pay in
the economy. This is part of the problem of recruitment and
retention, and the Government needs to recognise that and create
a correction in teacher pay – and it needs to fund it properly –
if we’re going to have the physics teachers, the chemistry
teachers, and the primary teachers which our children need.
“The Education Secretary has washed her hands of the matter, but
she risks looking foolish. Her abdication of responsibility is
failing teachers, parents and children. has a chance now to correct
the course of this dispute and return to the negotiating table.
She needs to realise that this issue is not going away and must
start treating it with the seriousness it deserves.”
