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Staff Reporter, 16 Dec
Members of teacher unions have voted to take part in industrial action
over pay.
The NASUWT said 92.7% of their members voted in support of strike
action, and 99% voted for action short of strike, while the Irish
National Teachers’ Organisation (Into) said its members voted
overwhelmingly to begin industrial action in support of the teachers’
pay claim for 2024/25.
It comes after a ballot which was carried out over a three-week period.
Into said its members will prepare to engage in a co-ordinated campaign
of industrial action short of strike alongside their fellow trade
unionists from other teaching unions.
The unions have urged the Department of Education to bring forward a
“realistic offer” that recognises their worth and takes into account
the cost of living.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, described it as a
“resounding message to Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan”.
“They are adamant that they are not prepared to tolerate a situation
where they are the worst-paid teachers in the UK and are fully prepared
to take either strike action or action short of strike in the new
academic year,” he said.
“This strength of feeling must now be recognised, and the minister and
employers must move decisively to ensure that a suitable offer can be
made to teachers.
“Failure to make an acceptable offer will inevitably lead to robust
industrial action.
“Teachers wish to avoid industrial action, but they have been left with
no choice.”
Mark McTaggart, northern secretary for Into, said members have “spoken
loudly and clearly in voting for industrial action”.
“Their message is simple, they demand a pay rise that fully recognises
their worth to society and one which takes account of the current
cost-of-living crisis,” he said.
“Teachers across the north are once again the least well paid on these
islands, and the employers once again seem content to sleepwalk into a
crisis of recruitment and retention of our recently qualified teachers
and school leaders.
“Our members have sent the strong message that they have had enough.
“Of course, industrial action is always a last resort in these
circumstances but it is clear that our members feel they are left with
no option.
“The industrial action is to be taken by a majority of the recognised
teachers’ unions, engaging in co-ordinated action and operating to an
agreed managed timeline in how it is applied.
“The actions are designed to ensure that our children and young people
continue to be taught whilst the nugatory bureaucratic work, demanded
by the employers and DE, will be denied to them.”