Teachers in England to vote on striking over pay

Teachers in England to Vote on Strike Action Over Pay Dispute

Union Preparing Formal Ballot Amid Pay Concerns

Teachers in England to vote on striking – The National Education Union (NEU), the largest teaching union in England, has announced plans to conduct a formal vote on potential strike action if the government maintains its proposed pay increases for the upcoming academic year. This decision comes as the union urges ministers to address escalating concerns over funding and inflation. The NEU’s upcoming ballot, scheduled for the autumn, is a direct response to the government’s recommendation of a 6.5% pay raise spread over the next three years, which it deems insufficient for maintaining the purchasing power of educators’ salaries.

Government’s Pay Offer and Inflationary Pressure

The Department for Education (DfE) has set the stage for a potential industrial action by proposing a 6.5% pay award across the 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29 academic years. However, the NEU argues that this offer fails to keep pace with rising costs, particularly in light of the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) reaching 3.3% in the year to March. With the Bank of England cautioning that inflation could surge further due to a “significant energy price shock,” the union emphasizes that the current proposal falls short of adequately addressing financial pressures faced by staff.

Union’s Stance on Funding and Workload

NEU officials have highlighted that the proposed pay increases are not only below inflation but also unfunded, forcing schools to allocate resources from existing budgets. This, they claim, exacerbates the challenges of retaining qualified staff and hiring new educators. Daniel Kebede, the NEU’s general secretary, stated in a recent address,

“No member wants to be taking strike action, but pay and workload issues have intensified a recruitment and retention crisis that is directly impacting education.”

He further noted that the government is aware of schools’ financial constraints, stressing that “unfunded below-inflation pay increases are an insult” to the profession.

Strikes as a Response to Past Pay Cuts

The prospect of a strike is not new. In the first half of 2023, NEU members took industrial action, leading to the closure of numerous schools during an eight-day period. At the time, the government had revised its pay offer from an initial 4% to 6.5% for that year, which temporarily alleviated tensions. However, the union argues that subsequent raises—5.5% in 2024 and 4% in 2025—have not been sufficient to reverse the trend of underfunding. This has left many teachers feeling undervalued, with the current pay offer seen as a continuation of the same pattern.

STRB Process and School Preparedness

The School Teachers Review Body (STRB) plays a pivotal role in shaping pay decisions, receiving submissions from the government, unions, and other stakeholders. The DfE’s submission to the STRB suggested a 6.5% award over the three-year period, with the emphasis placed on higher increases in the final two years. This approach, according to the DfE, aims to provide schools with more time to adjust their operations and staffing. However, the NEU contends that such weighting does not account for the immediate financial strain on institutions, which may not be able to absorb the cost without further cuts to existing resources.

Public Impact and Government Response

The DfE has expressed disappointment with the NEU’s stance, warning that any strike action would ultimately affect children, parents, and the broader educational system. A spokesperson for the department stated,

“Ultimately, it will be children, young people and hard-working parents who will pay the price for any industrial action. We’ve taken action to restore teaching as the highly valued profession it should be, including boosting pay, tackling poor pupil behaviour, high workload, and poor wellbeing so more teachers stay on in the profession and thrive.”

Despite these assurances, the NEU maintains that the government’s offer is inadequate, arguing that it fails to provide a sustainable solution for educators and support staff.

Member Support for Industrial Action

An informal indicative ballot conducted this year revealed strong backing for strike action among NEU members. With a turnout of 48.6%, 90.5% of participating teachers expressed willingness to take industrial action over pay disputes. This level of support suggests that the union is well-positioned to escalate its demands, especially as the STRB’s report has not yet been published. The NEU has indicated that early findings suggest the final pay offer may not prevent further redundancies or increases in workload, which could lead to a renewed wave of strikes.

Historical Context and Future Challenges

The pay dispute is part of a broader trend of dissatisfaction among education workers. Previous strikes have exposed the fragility of the sector’s financial stability, with teachers citing insufficient resources as a key factor in their decision to walk out. The NEU’s call for fully funded pay raises underscores its belief that schools should not be expected to cover the cost of higher wages, which could compromise other essential services. As the formal ballot approaches, the union is preparing to highlight the potential consequences of a failed negotiation, including disruptions to learning and a decline in staff morale.

Key Concerns and Call for Government Action

Kebede has reiterated that the government must take urgent steps to address the funding gap, emphasizing that “the properly funded education system our children and young people deserve” is at stake. He warned that without meaningful changes, the risk of a prolonged strike remains high. The NEU’s argument centers on the need for a more equitable pay structure that reflects the current economic realities, including the impact of the Iran war on inflation. With the STRB’s report pending, the union is urging ministers to reconsider their stance before the autumn ballot concludes.

The upcoming vote represents a critical juncture for the education sector. If the government does not revise its pay offer to match inflation, teachers and support staff may take collective action, potentially leading to widespread school closures. The NEU’s campaign highlights the interconnectedness of pay, workload, and funding, painting a picture of a profession under siege. As the final pay recommendations are debated, the stakes for students, parents, and educators have never been higher. The outcome of this vote will not only determine the immediate future of school operations but also set a precedent for future negotiations in the sector.