3 weeks Ago
A Bolton teachers union leader is calling on the government to "fund education properly" ahead of potential strikes this year. Members of the National Education Union (NEU), the largest education union in the country, could hold a formal ballot over strike action in the summer. Delegates at the NEU’s annual conference in Harrogate voted to launch a formal strike ballot if the final outcome of the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) process “remains unacceptable” – or if the government does not announce real-terms funding increases in the spending review in June.
A motion, passed at the union’s conference on Tuesday, said the government’s recommended 2.8 per cent pay rise for September was “inadequate and unfunded”. Assistant district secretary of Bolton NEU, Robert Poole , said teachers have reached "breaking point" and that education needs "proper" funding.
He said: "After years of real-term pay cuts, chronic underfunding and soaring workloads, teachers and support staff have reached breaking point. "If the government continues to refuse to offer a fully funded, inflation-proofed pay rise, it shows contempt for educators, and for our children's futures, and we will be forced to move towards strike action. "Strike action is always a last resort, but when ministers ignore the crisis driving teachers out of the profession, we have no choice.
"This isn't just about pay, it is about stopping the collapse of our schools. "Class sizes are rising, resources are dwindling, and morale is at rock bottom. "If the government truly valued education, they would negotiate seriously instead of forcing staff to fight for the basics.
" Read more: The number of Bolton children who received a place at their first choice school Read more: The primary school praised for its ‘impeccable role models’ Read more: Parents get onboard with ambitious project to transform school bus He added: "Our members don't want to strike, they want to teach, but they won't accept poverty wages while their dedication is taken for granted. "The ball is in the Secretary of State's court- fund education properly, or face further disruption." NEU general secretary, Daniel Kebede, said there were “two main trigger points” – the government’s response to the STRB report and the spending review in June – before the union’s executive considers the “next steps”.
When asked when would be the earliest the NEU could go on strike, Mr Kebede said: “If we’re looking at June for the spending review’s conclusion, a ballot process would potentially open up after that. “These are not quick so you would be looking (at) autumn term.” He added: "I really hope this government listen to that indicative ballot and take the necessary steps to avoid a confrontation with the teaching profession.
"I’m in conversations with other unions all the time, not just in education but also health, where there are great concerns around 2.8 per cent pay awards being made this year." This comes after a majority of NEU teacher members in England who took part in a preliminary ballot said they would be willing to take strike action to secure a fully-funded, significantly higher pay award.
In response, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “With school staff, parents and young people working so hard to turn the tide on school attendance, any move towards industrial action by teaching unions would be indefensible. “Following a 5.5 per cent pay award in a hugely challenging fiscal context, I would urge NEU to put children first.
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