Teachers in England vote in favour of more strikes in long-running dispute over pay

Schools are set to face further disruption after teachers in England voted to back a fresh strike action this autumn.

Educators represented by the NASUWT have voted in favour of industrial action in a dispute over pay, in one of the largest walkouts staged by the union in more than a decade. 

News of the latest wave of disruption comes just days after scores of teachers ditched the classrooms last week in one of the final strikes of the summer term.

The latest announcement will mean yet more misery for parents and pupils, who have already seen lessons disrupted by striking staff. 

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said in a statement: ‘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 per cent 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.’

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) staged their latest protest on Friday, with ministers being warned that industrial unrest could escalate in the autumn term unless there is movement on teachers’ salaries.

The Department for Education said the action would cause disruption to pupils and parents and result in the cancellation of children’s end-of-term events.

Friday’s strike was the second day of action in the week, following last Wednesday’s walkout which resulted in many schools being either fully closed or restricted access to certain groups of pupils.

Many of the teachers who plunged schools into chaos enjoyed picnics while millions of pupils missed out on sports days, school trips and other end-of-school activities.

Teachers walking out on Friday also enjoyed planned so-called ‘festival picnics’ that include face-painting and music. 

More to follow.