Teacher strikes: NASUWT union raises prospect of strikes during autumn term
Almost 90% of union members who voted backed strike action, with a turnout of 51.9% - passing the 50% ballot turnout required by law.
Wednesday 12 July 2023 14:43, UK
Teachers at the NASUWT union have voted in favour of industrial action in a dispute over pay and conditions.
Almost 90% of union members who voted backed strike action.
Nearly 95% supported action short of strike, with a turnout of 51.9% - passing the 50% ballot turnout required by law.
NASUWT said it will consider dates for strike action in the autumn term and will coordinate strikes with other unions where possible.
Dr Patrick Roach, the union's general secretary, said: "Today our members have sent a strong message to the government and to employers that teachers demand a better deal on pay and to address excessive workload and working hours.
"Our members have secured the largest mandate for industrial action by the NASUWT in over a decade, exceeding the government's anti-trade union ballot thresholds.
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"We have today written to the government and to employers confirming the prospect for industrial action in schools the length and breadth of the country from this autumn."
Dr Roach said teachers' goodwill has been "taken for granted for far too long".
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"No teacher should expect to work in conditions damaging to their health and wellbeing. Ministers cannot continue to wring their hands and do nothing," he added.
"Our members deserve better and pupils deserve better, too. The Government cannot continue to ignore the damaging impact that the teacher recruitment and retention crisis is having on pupils' education."
The NASUWT did not have a mandate to strike during the 2022-23 academic year.
Three other unions - the National Education Union (NEU), Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) - are currently balloting their members on potential strike action.
If all four unions vote in favour of strikes, it could mean more than 400,000 teachers could walkout on the same days if members coordinate.
NEU members in England have held eight days of strikes since February.
The government previously offered a £1,000 one-off payment to teachers and an average 4.5% rise for staff in the next school year but the deal was rejected.