Teacher's industrial action in Northern Ireland

How a united campaign of action in Northern Ireland led to a successful outcome.

Why was action taken?

Since the implementation of the pay-freeze in 2010-11, teachers had lost over 20% of their ‘real-terms’ pay. This saw the value of the profession devalue as a career choice to the detriment of teachers, pupils, and society alike.

Our action short of strike plan asked members to embed these actions in their school practice, acting as one with the five teacher unions that make up the NITC.

On pay parity. What about us?

The 2023 6.5% award to teachers in England and Wales raises questions about ‘parity-pay’ in particular in Northern Ireland.

At the time of the pay settlement in April 2020, Northern Ireland’s teachers were parity-level on the teachers Main-scale, and slightly ahead of England and Wales on the Upper pay scale but have regressed since.

The 6.5% in England and Wales normally produces a “Stormont consequential” – broadly a formulaic pro-rata amount for Northern Ireland. However, this ‘consequential’ is not necessarily ring-fenced to education, still less teachers’ pay. It’s a sum that goes into the broader Northern Ireland budgetary ‘pot’.

And difficulties arise from this:

First, was 6.5% enough? As the updated table below shows, the awards in England and Wales in 2021-22 and 2022-23, with a further gap with Scottish teachers, left us a long way behind!
Second, it was not self-evident that this 6.5% would be offered. In our estimation, the Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris could have simply deducted that quotient from the monies ‘owed’ to the UK Exchequer as overspent by the Executive and Assembly in past spending rounds.
Third, Heaton Harris obliged the NICS to undertake a revenue raising exercise in which areas such as water-charges, prescription charges, charging for school meals and buses have been ‘trailed’ as options. This, undoubtedly, is an exercise in pressurizing the reformation of the Stormont executive, similar to that undertaken by Labour’s Peter Hain in previous times.

In short, NEU – with other teachers and education unions – pressed for clarity on the worrying slide away from ‘parity pay’ for teachers.

Northern Ireland Teachers' Council (NITC) unites teachers for powerful action

Together, we stand strong on Action Short of Strike. Our resolve remains unwavering as we pursue fair pay. Join us in solidarity for a just resolution. Stay informed on the NEU website and social media. Your support drives change. Let's value teachers together.

What action did members take?

No work not agreed in their time budget.
PPA time outside of pupil sessions, to be done at a time and place that suits them.
KS3, KS4 and KS5: No internal tracking data added to SIMS.
One meeting per term to a maximum one hour with agenda provided 48 hours in advance.
No new initiatives without trade union agreement.
No communications outside of pupil sessions (unless for legitimate child protection/safeguarding)
No book scrutiny or classroom observations outside of essential PRSD.
No participation in assessment arrangements at the end of Foundation and Key Stages One, Two and Three.
No invigilation of external exams.

Pay scales

	England 23/24	Wales 22/23*	Scotland 1/4/23**	Northern Ireland 2020
M1	£31,350	£29,278	£31,584	£24,137
M2	£33,150	£31,630	£37,896	£26,045
M3	£35,204	£34,067	£40,047	£28,139
M4	£37,436	£36,741	£42,373	£30,305
M5	£39,681	£40,443	£45,060	£32,693
M6	£42,689		£47,565	£35,277
UPS1	£44,579	£41,927		£38,216
UPS2	£46,179	£43,481		£39,630
UPS3	£47,839	£45,085		£41,094

*The main scale for teachers in Wales has five incremental steps not 6 and no upper pay scale (UPS).

**After entering at the NQT starting point, teachers in Scotland move up the pay scale annually. From 1st April 2023, the salary bracket in Scotland ranges from a starting salary of £37,896 up to £47,565. This will rise to a starting salary of £38,655 up to £48,516 from 1 January 2024

Industrial action short of strike – Advice for teacher members

Our continuous Action Short of Strike began in October 2022 (Phase 1), escalated in November 2022 (Phase 2), and again in January 2023 (Phase 3).

NEU, along with other teacher unions in NITC advised education employers and the Department of Education of a further escalation from April 2023 (Phase 4).

We are asking members to take some time to revisit these actions, and to ensure that they are embedded in your school for the start of the new school year in September.