NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union in Northern Ireland – has today confirmed that its members have voted to reject the recent pay and workload offer, which included a 5.5% pay rise and a Heads of Agreement aimed at tackling workload issues in schools.

56% of NASUWT members voted in favour of rejecting the offer, with 6100 teachers participating in the survey.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, added:

“The NASUWT members have been clear – they want a fair pay settlement in line with that paid elsewhere in the UK.

The employers’ attempts to address workload as part of this offer have singularly failed to satisfy the majority of teachers who have also had to put up with a litany of empty and broken promises from the Management Side stretching back over many years.

“It is self-evident that the Management Side strategy is not working, and they must now return with urgency to the negotiating table to discuss terms for a new pay offer that will have the potential to secure the support of our members.”

Justin McCamphill, NASUWT National Official for Northern Ireland, said:

“Our members have considered the offer carefully and have made their decision based on their professional judgement and lived experience in schools. Their rejection of this offer sends a strong message that, for NASUWT members, the offer does not go far enough in addressing the years of pay erosion or the significant workload pressures they continue to face.”

“We recognise the result leaves the situation uncertain. However, NASUWT will now seek urgent engagement with the employers and the Department of Education to discuss next steps and ensure our members’ concerns are heard and addressed.”