DAMAGING school strikes are set to continue in England after members of the National Education Union voted to reject the government’s latest pay offer.
In a major blow to pupils, hundreds of thousands of teachers will walk out of work on April 27 and May 2 unless a new deal is struck.
Teacher strikes in England will go ahead this month after NEU members voted to reject the latest government pay deal
On a turnout of 66% NEU members voted by an overwhelming 98% to reject the latest pay offer from ministers.
It included a 4.3% pay hike in 2024, alongside a £1,000 cash bonus this year.
Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, NEU Joint General Secretaries, said: “No teacher wants to be on strike. Nor can they accept this offer that does nothing to address the decades of below inflation pay increases making them the worst paid teachers in the UK.
“The offer will do nothing to stem the teacher recruitment and retention crisis which is so damaging to our children and young people’s education.
“The NEU is ready as we have stated all along to negotiate with ministers, but this time we hope a lesson has been learnt. Gillian Keegan needs to start negotiations with respect for the profession she is supposedly representing in Government.”
Ministers say they are giving schools £2.3bn over the next two years.
They argued the rejected deal was “a fair and reasonable offer”, which included a commitment to shrink workloads by five hours per week.
Meanwhile, in Wales and Scotland unions have accepted government pay offers, putting an end to months of disruptive strike action.
Scottish teachers gained a 7% pay rise for 2022/23, backdated to April.
They will also receive a 5% hike this month, followed by further 2% rise in January next year.
In Wales teachers shook hands on an 8% hike for 2022/23, next to a 5% rise for 2023/24.
