Teachers Strike: Widespread School Closures Across England and Wales

Strategic Insights -

Teachers across England and Wales are set to stage a strike on February 1, with 90.4% of National Education Union (NEU) members voting in favor of industrial action. The NEU has warned of widespread school closures, citing a lack of meaningful discussions with the government over pay. The union's General Secretaries, Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, stated that the dispute is not about a pay rise, but rather correcting historic real-terms pay cuts, which have seen teachers lose 23% in real-terms since 2010.

Key Takeaways:

  • 90.4% of NEU members in England and Wales voted for strike action, the highest level of support ever recorded.
  • The NEU has warned of widespread school closures on February 1, with further strike action planned for February 28, March 15, and March 16.
  • The union is seeking to correct historic real-terms pay cuts, which have seen teachers lose 23% in real-terms since 2010, and support staff lose 27% over the same period.
  • The average five per cent pay rise for teachers this year is seven per cent behind inflation, making it unsustainable.
  • The NEU has criticized the government's 50 per cent turnout threshold for industrial action, describing it as "restrictive".
  • Over 150 teachers have joined the NEU in the last seven days, with the union expecting even more to join by February 1.

Statistics:

  • 90.4%: the percentage of NEU members in England and Wales who voted for strike action.
  • 23%: the amount of real-terms pay cuts teachers have experienced since 2010.
  • 27%: the amount of real-terms pay cuts support staff have experienced over the same period.
  • 50%: the government's turnout threshold for industrial action, described by the NEU as "restrictive".
  • 46.46%: the turnout of NEU school Support Staff members in England who voted for industrial action, just missing the government's 50% threshold.

Sources:

  • National Education Union (NEU): "NEU members vote overwhelmingly for strike action"
  • The Guardian: "Teachers vote overwhelmingly for strike action in pay dispute"
  • PA Media: "Teachers to strike across England and Wales over pay and conditions"