Members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union in schools
across England have voted in favour of industrial action over
pay, workload and working time.
NASUWT members in state-funded schools in England have balloted
in support of industrial action, with 88.5% of eligible members
voting to support strike action and 94.3% voting in support of
action short of strike action, based on an overall turnout of
51.9%.
The Union has confirmed today that it intends to issue notice of
a programme of continuous action short of strike action
commencing in September, details of which will be announced
shortly. Dates for strike action in the autumn term will also be
considered by the Union, coordinated with other education unions
where possible.
Commenting on the results, Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT
General Secretary, said:
“Today our members have sent a strong message to the government
and to employers that teachers demand a better deal on pay and to
address excessive workload and working hours.
“Our members have secured the largest mandate for industrial
action by the NASUWT in over a decade, exceeding the government’s
anti-trade union ballot thresholds.
“We have today written to the government and to employers
confirming the prospect for industrial action in schools the
length and breadth of the country from this autumn.
“Our members’ goodwill has been taken for granted for far too
long. Excessive workload demands have become so debilitating that
we have seen record numbers of teachers and headteachers leaving
the profession, or reporting anxiety, work-related stress and
self-harm because of the pressures of the job.
“No teacher should expect to work in conditions damaging to their
health and wellbeing. Ministers cannot continue to wring their
hands and do nothing. If the Government won’t take the action
needed to end excessive workload and working hours, we will take
action in workplaces across the country to protect our members.
“Our members deserve better and pupils deserve better, too. The
Government cannot continue to ignore the damaging impact that the
teacher recruitment and retention crisis is having on pupils’
education.
“The Government must urgently resolve teachers’ demands for
concrete measures to tackle excessive workload and working hours
and to secure real terms pay restoration.
“The Government must stop playing politics, publish the report of
the School Teachers’ Review Body and put an end to the damaging
speculation they have allowed to develop over recent weeks.
“The STRB’s recommendation of a 6.5% pay award for teachers and
headteachers, which has been widely reported, is the minimum to
which our members are entitled. However, NASUWT members are clear
that teachers deserve better than just another real terms pay
cut.
“The Government is ultimately responsible for teachers’ pay and
working conditions and Ministers must now get back to the
negotiating table to agree a deal that will command the support
of our members.”
