The largest teaching union in the United Kingdom is planning a walkout over “alarmingly low” wages, demanding an inflation-beating wage increase for educators.
The National Education Union has written to Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi, urging ham to demonstrate appreciation for school personnel by granting “undifferentiated inflation-plus wage increases for all instructors.”
If an adequate offer is not made by the start of the fall semester, the union will conduct a vote among its members to determine “their desire to engage in industrial action.”
“We will strongly encourage them to vote yes,” the union stated, “because we can no longer stand by as you destroy education and educators.”
The newest estimates place the rate of inflation in the United Kingdom at a 40-year high of 9.1 percent, implying that the union would want a salary increase above this amount.
The teaching union NASUWT has also demanded a 12 percent salary hike for teachers in England, Wales, and Scotland this year, threatening strike action if its demands are not met.
Until Mr. Zahawi answers to the conclusions of the School Teachers’ Review Body report, which is likely to be revealed at the end of the school year, it is believed that no ballots for teachers will be called.
The National Education Association (NEA) asserted that pay cuts and excessive workload were affecting teacher recruitment and retention, causing “substantial harm” to education.
It criticized the government’s evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body suggesting a 3 percent pay raise for the majority of teachers in England, which it said would amount to a “massive” pay decrease based on Wednesday’s CPI and RPI inflation estimates of 9.1 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively.
The education secretary responded as follows: “We have proposed the greatest pay increases in a generation for new teachers – 16.7 percent over the next two years – as well as further pay increases for more experienced teachers and leaders.
“Young people have endured more disruptions to their education than any previous generation, and it is the essential work of teachers that is assisting them in getting back on track.
“As a parent, the last thing I want to see is something that could threaten to undermine this development.
“We will evaluate the suggestions of the independent pay review organization in due time.”
Dominic Raab, the deputy prime minister, stated that the government might permit teachers to go on strike rather than yield to their “excessive” compensation demands.
According to him, it is “crucial” for ministers to adopt a “strong stance” on pay demands, as granting substantial wage rises could exacerbate inflation.
“Still, it is anticipated that inflation would decline next year. If we don’t take a disciplined approach, it will endure longer, eroding the wages of public sector employees, especially the lowest-paid “he added.
The consumer price index inflation rate increased from 9 percent in April to 9.1 percent in May, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
According to statisticians, the move was largely caused by the rise in food costs, which contributed more than 0.2 percentage points to the inflation rate.
The Bank of England warned last week that inflation is on track to hit 11 percent by the end of the year, as gas and electricity costs continue to skyrocket.
“Although remaining at historically high levels, the annual inflation rate moved little in May,” said Grant Fitzner, chief economist at ONS.
“Continued strong food price increases and record-high gasoline prices were countered by apparel expenses growing by less than this time last year and a decline in the frequently shifting prices of computer games.
“The price of items leaving factories increased at the quickest rate in 45 years, driven by broad food price increases, while the price of raw materials soared at the fastest rate ever recorded.”
Teachers are not the only profession in the public sector demanding a salary increase to assist them to cope with the cost of the living problem; their threat of industrial action coincides with rail strikes across the United Kingdom that have shut down 80 percent of train services this week.
In a dispute over legal aid financing, attorneys have already vowed to strike beginning next week.
The Criminal Bar Association (CBA), which represents barristers in England and Wales, announced on Monday that several days of court walkouts would commence, with the action lasting for weeks.
It is anticipated that matters requiring barristers, such as crown court proceedings, will be delayed.
Barristers are anticipated to form picket lines in front of courts, including the Old Bailey in London and crown courts in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, and Manchester.
The strike action is expected to run four weeks, beginning with walkouts on June 27 and 28, escalating by one day per week, and culminating in a five-day strike from July 18 to July 22.
And NHS employees are also mulling strike action.
The union representing NHS employees, Unison, warned that staff would leave if they did not receive a reasonable pay increase.
The nurses of the NHS voted in favor of strikes in December 2021, but the requisite 50 percent participation rate was not met.
Rising inflation and pay restraints in the public sector have prompted fears that another ballot could be more successful, resulting in a walkout by NHS employees.
Christina McAnea, general secretary of Unison, stated, “The government faces a straightforward decision: either it makes a sensible pay award, investing in staff and services and reducing delays for patients, or it risks a potential dispute, growing workforce shortages, and increased suffering for the sick.”
