Educators Rally City Hall, Belfast 18 January 2024

NEU Northern Ireland

Information, advice and resources for NEU Northern Ireland members.

Address: 1 Lanyon Quay,
Unit C2,
Belfast BT1 3LG

Phone: 028 9078 2020

Northern Ireland industrial action ballot

The NEU, on Tuesday 2 June 2026, informed employers of their intention to hold a statutory ballot for industrial action.

This follows NITC having carefully reviewed the action plan and accompanying Education Minister’s statement to the NI Assembly on the recommendations of the Independent Review Panel. We subsequently communicated our serious concerns about the roadmap and NEU members remained unconvinced this would result in any meaningful reduction in workload. NEU has been clear-the proposals simply do not go far enough-quick enough.

The ballot will open on 10 June 2026.

Northern Ireland Education Inspections Bill

NEU will continue to monitor the progress of the inspection legislation closely which passed this evening (Monday 1 June 2026) and challenge any proposals that adversely affect our teachers. We continue to engage with policymakers to ensure the voice of the profession is heard and that the rights and interests of teachers are protected.

We are committed to safeguarding your professional status, wellbeing, and working conditions and will engage with the Education Committee as part of our next steps and continue to outline our concerns about clause 3 and the current drafting of this bill.

Advice and guidance

Agreement on teachers' pay and conditions of service is reached through the Teachers' Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee (Schools) which comprises the employing authorities/employer representatives, the Department of Education (DE) and the five recognised teachers' unions NEU is one of the five unions that make up the Northern Ireland Teachers Council (NITC).

New parental bereavement leave and pay applicable to Northern Ireland

From 6 April 2026, Northern Ireland will become the first jurisdiction in the northern hemisphere to extend statutory Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay to include miscarriage and early pregnancy loss, covering the pregnant woman and anyone with a defined connection to the pregnancy. Read more about the new parental bereavement leave and pay, including frequently asked questions.

Teachers’ terms and conditions

Details of the legislation and negotiated agreements that make us the terms and conditions of teachers in Northern Ireland.

Sick leave and attendance procedure

Specific advice on sickness absence monitoring for teachers in Northern Ireland.

Teachers’ time budget arrangements

No teacher in Northern Ireland should be directed to work more than 32.4 hours in a single week.

Thinking about retirement?

Information about the two pension schemes in Northern Ireland and financial planning for retirement.

Equality legislation

Comparing the equality legislation between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI).

Pregnant woman working from home on laptop

Maternity rights

All teachers in Northern Ireland are entitled to one years’ maternity leave consisting of 26 weeks ordinary and 26 weeks additional leave.

Shared parental leave

The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Act 2015 provides an opportunity for parents to take advantage of additional flexibility in the way they choose to care for a new arrival to the family.

Training courses

Our training courses are based on trade union principles and emphasise the NEU’s policies and achievements. Some of our courses are held jointly with other unions - INTO and UTU. Each course is designed to meet the needs of all attendees and provide the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues to solve common problems in a supportive environment.

Please apply for the courses early and inform your employer. It is crucial that, as representatives, you exercise your legal right to reasonable time off for trade union duties and training. This applies to both seasoned and new reps.

Who can attend?

Courses are open to NEU members. Some of the courses are aimed at particular groups. The course information indicates which membership group each course is aimed at, although this is not exclusive and other members may benefit from attendance and you are most welcome.

Book an online course

Download NI Region Training and Events Programme 2024/25