The National Education Union (NEU) has announced that teachers will strike over pay in England and Wales on seven dates in February and March.
There will be nationwide strikes on February 1 and March 15 and 16. There are also a number of regional dates.
About 300,000 members of the teaching and support staff in England and Wales participated in the NEU’s poll, which is the largest education union in the UK.
The secretary of education has stated that she will meet with union representatives later this week.
In accordance with guidance from the Department of Education, head teachers are required to take “all reasonable steps” to keep schools open for as many students as possible during a strike.
Head teachers in England won’t strike in the meantime because a ballot by the NAHT union fell short of the legally needed 50% turnout level.
The union states that due to alleged disruption from postal strikes, it is considering repeating the election.
However, because the Welsh ballot received the required number of votes, NAHT members there will engage in strike action.
Action will take place both nationally and regionally on the following days:
- 1 February: All schools in England and Wales
- 14 February: All schools in Wales
- 28 February: North and north-west England, Yorkshire and Humber
- 1 March: East Midlands, West Midlands, and the NEU’s eastern region
- 2 March: South-east and south-west England, and London
- 15 and 16 March: Two-day strike of all schools in England and Wales
According to the NEU, each school will be affected on no more than four of the seven dates.
In 2022, the majority of state school teachers in England and Wales saw a 5% raise.
However, the NEU has stated that due to high inflation rates of over 10%, the 5% pay increase offered to members actually amounts to a wage reduction.