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EducationDepartment for EducationLatest NewsIndustrial action / strikesEducation - further and higher

Teachers strikes paused as unions begin talks with DfE

by Jo Faragher 17 Mar 2023
by Jo Faragher 17 Mar 2023 Strikes this week by teachers closed or disrupted hundreds of schools
SOPA Images Limited / Alamy Stock Photo
Strikes this week by teachers closed or disrupted hundreds of schools
SOPA Images Limited / Alamy Stock Photo

The National Education Union and other unions have paused strike action for two weeks after talks began today (17 March) with the Department for Education.

In a statement, the NEU, Association of School and College Leaders, National Association of Head Teachers and the NASUWT said the talks would focus on “teacher pay, conditions and workload reduction”.

“In order for talks to begin and, we hope, reach a successful conclusion, the NEU has confirmed it will create a period of calm for two weeks during which time they have said no further strike dates will be announced,” the statement said.

“The education secretary and all the unions will meet today, beginning intensive talks, which will continue over the weekend.”

Education strikes

Teachers in Scotland accept pay deal, ending strike action 

Government suggests 3.5% public sector pay increase for 2023-24

A series of strikes were announced in January, with the latest walk-outs seeing many schools close this week on 15 and 16 March.

Last Friday, teachers in Scotland accepted a pay deal after the Educational Institute of Scotland agreed a deal that would see their pay increase 12.3% next month, comprising a backdated 7% increase from April 2022 and a 5% increase from this April.

Strike action in Wales has also been paused, while the NEU consults members on an increased pay offer of 8% for this year, and 5% for next year.

The NEU in England is seeking an above-inflation pay increase without this having to come from existing budgets for schools. Most state school teachers had a pay rise of 5% in 2022, but the current rate of consumer price index (CPI) inflation is just over 10%.

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The NEU ballot lasts until the end of term in July, so the union could announce new strikes until then if pay negotiations do not succeed.

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Jo Faragher

Jo Faragher has been an employment and business journalist for 20 years. She regularly contributes to Personnel Today and writes features for a number of national business and membership magazines. Jo is also the author of 'Good Work, Great Technology', published in 2022 by Clink Street Publishing, charting the relationship between effective workplace technology and productive and happy employees. She won the Willis Towers Watson HR journalist of the year award in 2015 and has been highly commended twice.

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