The NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union is today announcing it will be balloting its members for industrial action over the failure by Government and employers to guarantee teachers and headteachers a fully funded real-terms pay award of 12%.

The NASUWT is recommending that members vote Yes to taking strike action and Yes to support action short of strike action.

Today’s announcement comes after Ministers failed to engage in negotiations with the NASUWT, despite repeated calls to do so.

Ballot papers will be issued to members from 27 October and the ballot will close on 9 January with the result to be announced immediately.

The NASUWT’s campaign for a 12% pay award for teachers will include ballots of members in schools and sixth form colleges in England, Scotland and Wales.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary said:

“The NASUWT has done everything possible to seek a resolution to this dispute and to avoid escalation of industrial action in schools and colleges.

“The Government has failed to recognise the damaging impact of years of real terms pay cuts on the morale of teachers and which is fuelling the teacher recruitment and retention crisis.

“The 5% pay award for teachers and headteachers is unacceptable at a time when inflation is running at more than 10% and it will result in even more financial misery for hard working teachers.

“The Government must ensure additional money is provided to schools and colleges to ensure that this year’s pay award does not become a lottery for teachers.

“Teaching is at the bottom of the graduate pay league table. Teachers need and deserve a fully funded pay award which will begin the process of restoring the real terms value of teachers’ pay.

“Ministers will be entirely responsible for industrial action unless they act immediately to deliver a better pay deal for teachers.”