The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) as to hold a formal ballot “at a national level” for the first time in history which is a “significant step.”
There has been an erosion of teacher and leader pay which has led to staff shortages and pay and conditions are also the main factors as to why people have left the profession.
In March the union said the government’s attempts to resolve the dispute was “completely inadequate” and the pay offer was rejected.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the ASCL, said, “ASCL has never before formally balloted at a national level and this is clearly a very significant step.
“The fact that we have reached this point reflects the desperate situation regarding inadequate funding, long-term pay erosion, teacher shortages, and the intransigence of a Government which we can only conclude does not value the education workforce or recognise the severe pressures facing the sector.
“This action is taken as a last resort and with a heavy heart, but we cannot accept the continued damage to education caused by Government neglect and complacency.”
On Wednesday afternoon members voted unanimously in favour of the ballot the ASCL said.
Barton said, “We have made every effort to resolve this matter through negotiations prior to reaching this point.
“Unfortunately, the Government’s offer has failed to sufficiently address pay and conditions and, critically, did not provide enough funding for even the meagre proposal it put forward.
“Following the rejection of the offer by all education unions involved – ASCL, NAHT, NEU and NASUWT – the Government has made no effort to reopen negotiations and has said only that the issue of pay will now revert to the School Teachers’ Review Body.”
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