Could there be more teachers’ strikes in 2023? | British News

Members of the National Education Union (NEU) in England went on strike again on July 5 and 7, disrupting schools in the current school year.

The month also saw industrial action on the railroad and strikes by both junior doctors and hospital consultants.

But could there be more strikes as the four education unions representing teachers and school leaders advise their members to vote for the government’s latest offer – which has accepted the recommendation of the independent school teacher assessment body?

let’s find out

Could there be more teachers’ strikes?

In the school year that is coming to an end (2022-23) there will certainly be no more strikes, since the unions are obliged to give at least two weeks’ notice – and the summer semester will then be over.

From the fall semester in September, however, strikes could still occur.

The official NEU vote on whether to accept the deal is still open until July 28, but many teachers and school leaders have taken to social media to argue against accepting the deal, where the following is offered:

• To fully implement the recommendations of the School Teachers Review Body (STRB) report, starting September 1, a 6.5 percent salary increase will be granted on all salary points and allowances.
• Provide schools with additional funding of £900m a year.
• Guarantees this extra money will not come from frontline services, including SEND (Special Educational Needs) funding, school funds, supervised kindergarten, or 16-19 year old funding.
• A set of commitments – agreed with the Prime Minister – to take urgent action to reduce teachers’ workload.

Some local branches of the National Education Union (NEU), including Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, Birmingham and some parts of London, have split from the national union and advised their members to reject the offer.

What did the unions say?

She added: “We say, ‘You can absolutely refuse, but that means you commit to multi-day strike action in the fall semester and the government still won’t budge.’

“The actions of the NEU members regarding pay and funding have forced the government to now accept the STRB recommendation on teachers’ pay and accept that it must be funded.”

She added: “No teacher wanted to go on strike, but neither could a teacher continue to see their pay cut, their school’s funding cut and their workload unmet.”

“There is still much more to be done to ensure teachers are adequately compensated, workloads reduced and schools adequately funded.”

“Should the offer be accepted by the members, the NEU will continue its campaigns and negotiations with the DfE to ensure improved working conditions for teachers and an improved education system for children and young people.”

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