All four teaching unions and their members in England have accepted a 6.5% pay rise, ending ongoing strikes and a dispute over pay.
The pay increase applies to teachers in state-funded schools in England. Members of the National Education Union (NEU), who have been on strike for eight days since February voted to accept the pay offer, with 86% stating they were happy with the deal and to end industrial action on a turnout of 60%.
The National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers and the National Association of Head Teachers unions also accepted the deal on 31 July, with the Association of School and College Leaders doing the same earlier in July. The unions have been balloting members since May about holding strikes in the autumn term, but these will no longer take place.
The School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) report on teacher pay, published last month, recommended a 6.5% pay increase from September. The government has agreed to fully implement all recommendations on all pay points and allowances.
Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, joint general secretaries of the National Education Union, said: “The NEU submissions to the STRB went a long way towards changing the government's position on pay and funding. The strike action taken by our members also shifted the dial, securing the highest pay award for over 30 years. Members should be proud they have also secured extra funding for schools.
“The engagement of members over pay has been high throughout this campaign, and our decisions have been led by them at every turn. It remains the view of the NEU that school and college funding is far from adequate. It remains a commitment of the NEU to campaign for further increases in teacher pay. Everyone in the school and colleges community deserves an education system that attracts and keeps teaching staff, and one that ensures every child gets the attention and support they deserve.”
