Teachers have been told “this is not the right time to strike” after the largest education union said it would call on members to reject the government’s pay rise offer.
The National Education Union (NEU) will poll its members from March 1 to April 11 on the government’s recommendation for a 2.8% pay rise for teachers in England.
speaking Anna Jones on Sky News BreakfastCulture Secretary Lisa Nandy urged teachers not to strike, claiming the new Labor government had taken “more action than any Conservative government has taken in the last 14 years”.
Latest Politics: Reeves heads to China for economic talks despite pressure to cancel trip
In her appeal to teachers, she said: “I know that life has been very difficult in recent years. But I would like to encourage you to consider that in the last six months we have taken more steps than this Conservative Government has taken. Over the past 14 years.
“We have come up with a salary proposal to improve their standard of living.
“But more importantly, when I talk to teachers across the country, including at my young son’s school, what they want is to ease the burden on teachers so they can get back to their core job of teaching. Being able to deal with the children in front of them, especially the post-COVID-19 generation who are going through a lot of challenges.
“I would like to say this to the faculty and staff: I know it’s hard work, but we have to work together for the best interests of our children. We are confident that by working with them we have got the right answer.
“Now is not the time to strike. “Now is the time to move forward.”
‘I know it’s been hard,’ Lisa Nandy told teachers. Photo:PA
The threat of a teachers strike comes after the government recommended a 2.8% pay rise for public sector workers, including NHS staff, some of whom have been critical of the proposals.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said: That figure amounted to “about an extra £2 a day”. And he urged the government to hold talks “to avoid further confusion and a vote”.
Last September, the Aslef train drivers’ union accepted a government proposal for a 5% retroactive wage increase in 2022-23, a 4.75% increase in 2023-24 and a 4.5% increase in 2024-25.
They joined the RMT union, which represents railway workers. Accepted a one-year raise. It will rise by 4.5% for Network Rail and 4.75% for train operators in 2024/25, up from 4.75% last year.
Teachers and principals in the UK Last September, salaries were increased by 5.5%.
NEU secretary-general Daniel Kebede has insisted the government’s current offer of 2.8% for 2025/26 is “not enough” to tackle teacher shortages.
“The current 2.8% proposal is not enough to even begin to address the recruitment and retention crisis,” he said.
“The suggestion that unfunded salaries can be paid through ‘efficiency’ is an insult to a profession that has already endured 14 years of austerity.
“No teacher or leader can see effectiveness without cutting staff, resources, or both.”
“Thousands of teachers voted for the education changes promised by Labor. They promised to invest in education, hire 6,500 teachers, value education and ensure the life chances of our children.
“We need to see their commitment not only in words but also in actions.
“Emotions alone cannot fill the excessive number of teacher vacancies or provide our children with the world-class education they deserve.”
NEU secretary-general Daniel Kebede said the government’s current proposals were ‘not sufficient’ to address teacher shortages. Photo:PA
The Department for Education (DfE) strongly opposed the union’s decision, calling it “unusual”, while Downing Street urged teachers “not to put children’s learning at risk” by striking.
The DfE said the 2.8% increase would “keep teacher pay competitive despite the difficult financial circumstances facing the Government”.
A DfE spokesperson said: “This is an extraordinary decision.
“In just three years, teachers’ salaries have increased by more than 17%.
“As schools and families continue to do everything they can to increase attendance, and after millions of school days have been lost due to the pandemic and recent strikes, union leaders must think long and hard about whose interests they put first.”
Read more:
Truss sends cease-and-desist letter to Starmer over claims he ‘crippled the economy’.
As the pound fell further, Reeves intervention was ruled out.
NEU members will be asked whether they intend to go on strike if the government does not commit to a significant, fully funded pay rise.
If members object, delegates at the NEU’s annual conference in April may decide to proceed with a formal vote to be held in the summer.
