12/10/2016

Teachers Union Turns Down Pay Offer

A teaching union in Northern Ireland has rejected a pay offer made by the Management Side of the Teachers Negotiating Committee (TNC).

After months of negotiations, union NASUWT turned down the offer of 0% for 2015-16 and 1% for 2016-17.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said this is the final straw.

He said: "Teachers in Northern Ireland are as dedicated, hardworking and committed as their colleagues in Scotland, England and Wales and yet the Employers in Northern Ireland have failed to offer them for 2015-16 even the 1% allowed under the Treasury's pay cap which other teachers have received.

"Teachers in Northern Ireland are now two years behind their colleagues in Wales, Scotland and England in terms of a pay settlement. Other jurisdictions have already started the process for 2017/18 while in Northern Ireland pay for 2015- 2017 has yet to be settled.

"The patience of the NASUWT and its members is exhausted.

"The slow, dysfunctional negotiating machinery has once again demonstrated that it delivers nothing for teachers.

"Teachers are already suffering burnout from excessive workload, are demoralised by job loss and job insecurity and now face even deeper cuts to their pay.

"This latest derisory offer is totally unacceptable and we will be responding immediately with an escalation of our industrial action."

Employers will be receiving the due notice from the NASUWT required by law that from 20 October members will refuse, until further notice, to attend meetings outside school sessions.

The union is also considering plans to take strike action.

(CD/LM)

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