Issues

Teachers’ union rejects pay offer

The largest teachers’ union in Northern Ireland has rejected the pay offer for teachers and principals made by the Management Side of the Teachers Negotiating Committee (TNC).

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) rejected the offer of a 1 per cent rise claiming that any increase needs to be above the rate of inflation. However, the Department of Education said talks over pay are continuing and criticised the union for commenting publically before talks had reached a conclusion.

In an open letter to Education Minister, John O’Dowd the NASUWT’s general secretary Chris Keates claimed the union wants to see a “significant, above inflation pay award” for all teachers and that this raise is fully funded with additional money distributed through school funding mechanisms.

Speaking about the issue, NASUWT’s national official for Northern Ireland, Justin McCampbell claimed that with the radical change currently underway in the education system, teachers are subject to continuing and increasing pressures.

“Pay levels which recognise the skills and abilities of teachers are critical to the success of the management of change,” he said. “An offer of 1.37 per cent, which does have strings attached to it, is nowhere near enough to address the real cuts in teachers’ pay.

“Year-on-year, teachers continue to deliver high standards of education but their commitment and dedication should not be taken for granted.”

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