Teachers are facing multiple attacks on their pay, their workload and their wellbeing.
Thousands of members marched through Central London to Demand Better at the TUC National March and Rally on Saturday 18th June 2022. Members came from all over the country to demand government action on pay and the cost of living. Together we were able to show that teachers deserve better on pay and working conditions.
The recent turmoil in Westminster only underlines our focus on securing a better deal for members on your pay, workload and wellbeing. The NASUWT wrote to the government in June to demand a better deal on pay for teachers.
The NASUWT has been clear that an immediate programme of pay restoration is needed, commencing with at least a 12% pay award this year for all teachers, recognising the 20% real terms reduction to the value of teachers’ pay since 2010.
The School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) has recommended a 5% pay increase in its 32nd report to teachers’ pay and allowance points in September 2022, which the Secretary of State for Education has accepted. A 5% pay award does not come close to what is needed and the NASUWT has made it clear to the Government that this is a completely inadequate pay award, given current levels of inflation.
Further information about the STRB’s Report to the Secretary of State and the STRB’s recommended pay tables are given in the pay scales extract and this bulletin.
There will now be a period of consultation on the Secretary of State’s response to the STRB Report, which closes on 23rd September 2022. Following that date, the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), including the 2022/23 teachers’ pay points, will be published by the Department for Education (DfE).
Unsustainable rises in working hours, pay freezes in England and inadequate pay offers in Northern Ireland and Scotland, and massive adverse impacts on teachers’ mental health are creating anger in the profession after teachers have been ‘right in the eye of the storm’ for two years.
Our children’s potential to contribute positively to the future of our society and our economy is directly linked to the hard work, dedication and professionalism of our teachers. Every child from every background can develop a passion for education and deserves to realise their goals and ambitions.
But teachers are angry and demoralised.
The NASUWT is demanding intervention from the Government to secure a better deal for teachers as part of a range of measures needed to ensure the continued support of the profession. They can help to deliver real progress towards reinstating fair pay, a reasonable workload and peace of mind for teachers.
In the event that this year’s teachers’ pay award does not, as a minimum, address our concerns, the NASUWT will have no alternative than to ballot our members for industrial action this autumn.
In preparation for any ballot, it is crucial that we hold the correct membership details for you particularly your home address, personal email address (not workplace email) Phone Number and workplace. If you need to update your details, you can do this by logging in to e-membership on the NASUWT website or by emailing membership@mail.nasuwt.org.uk.
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