Teachers ‘secure the largest mandate for industrial action’ which could happen during autumn term

Parents are being warned to expect teacher strikes over the autumn term as members of the NASUWT union have voted in favour for industrial action.

Almost 90% of union members voted to back industrial action in a dispute over pay, “excessive workload and working hours.”

The union warned they will coordinate strikes where possible with other unions and are to consider industrial action over the autumn term.

Dr Patrick Roach, the union’s general secretary, said, “Today our members have sent a strong message to the government and to employers that teachers demand a better deal on pay and to address excessive workload and working hours.

“Our members have secured the largest mandate for industrial action by the NASUWT in over a decade, exceeding the government’s anti-trade union ballot thresholds.

“We have today written to the government and to employers confirming the prospect for industrial action in schools the length and breadth of the country from this autumn.”

The union warned that their members are finding the “workload demands” as debilitating and the profession are seeing “record numbers” of teachers quitting.

Dr Roach added, “Our members’ goodwill has been taken for granted for far too long.

“Excessive workload demands have become so debilitating that we have seen record numbers of teachers and headteachers leaving the profession, or reporting anxiety, work-related stress and self-harm because of the pressures of the job.

“No teacher should expect to work in conditions damaging to their health and wellbeing. Ministers cannot continue to wring their hands and do nothing.

“Our members deserve better and pupils deserve better, too. The Government cannot continue to ignore the damaging impact that the teacher recruitment and retention crisis is having on pupils’ education.”