Teachers slam government pay offer as 98% vote to strike! The National Education Union (NEU) has dealt a massive blow to the government, with 98% of its members rejecting the latest pay deal in a ballot. Strike action is set to hit schools nationwide on Thursday 27 April and Tuesday 2 May.
Government’s offer slammed as ‘unacceptable’
The government tried to sweeten the pot with a £1,000 one-off payment this year and a 4.3% pay rise next year. Plus, starting salaries would rise to £30,000 from September – seen by ministers as a fair deal. But the NEU called it “unacceptable” and “not fully funded”. At their Harrogate conference, Joint General Secretaries Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney blasted the offer for ignoring the wider teaching crisis.
Teachers stand firm amid crunch ballot
The ballot saw a 66% turnout, with teachers making their feelings crystal clear. Despite the government insisting their offer is “fair and reasonable,” educators argue it falls short of tackling real issues facing schools today.
Shortage of teachers fuels fury
- Schools are struggling to recruit qualified teachers.
- £30,000 starting salary increase is unlikely to fix the problem alone.
- A sustained investment in education is desperately needed.
The NEU warns that without proper funding, the crisis will only deepen. Years of underfunding have slashed school budgets, forcing teachers to do more with less and hitting education quality hard.
Strike to disrupt schools, but exams safe
The planned strikes will rattle schools across the country, but the NEU has promised that exam classes will not be disrupted, aiming to minimise impact on students’ crucial assessments.
