Teaching union to launch indicative ballot of members over pay

London: The National Education Union, the biggest education union in the UK, is gearing up to ask its members about a proposed 2.8% pay rise for teachers. They’re launching a ballot from March 1 to April 11 to see if members are up for taking action if the government doesn’t offer a better deal.

Members will get to weigh in on whether they’d support industrial action if the government doesn’t commit to a more substantial pay increase. If the response is positive, the union might move to a formal ballot later in the summer term.

Daniel Kebede, the NEU’s general secretary, has been vocal about the inadequacy of the 2.8% proposal, saying it doesn’t do enough to tackle the ongoing teacher shortages. The government claims this rise is necessary to keep teachers’ pay competitive, but many feel it falls short.

In a recent meeting, the NEU decided to go ahead with this preliminary online ballot. Meanwhile, Downing Street is urging teachers not to jeopardize students’ learning by striking.

Kebede pointed out that the current pay proposal is just not enough to address the recruitment and retention crisis. He criticized the idea that the pay increase could be funded through “efficiencies,” calling it an insult to teachers who have already faced years of budget cuts.

He emphasized that teachers need real commitments from the government, not just promises. The NEU has a history of striking, with members having taken action in 2023 over pay disputes. Last year, teachers did receive a 5.5% pay rise, but many feel more is needed.

As the government faces pressure over school attendance and funding, they maintain that future pay awards must balance fairness for both taxpayers and workers. They argue that the proposed 2.8% increase is above inflation forecasts, but many teachers are still skeptical.