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Teachers in schools throughout Newry are taking part in strike action up until noon today as part of a half day strike called by all five of the teaching unions here. IT follows strike action by classroom assistants and other school staff on 16 November.
Taking part are members of the NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers); INTO (Irish National Teachers Organisation); UTU (Ulster Teachers Union); . NEU (National Education Union) and NAHT (National Association of Head Teachers) It's part of Northern Ireland wide industrial action. Industrial action by union members has been ongoing since February 2023.
A UTU representative said "The decision has been taken in light of the fact that, despite recent and frequent calls to the Secretary of State, to our local politicians and to the employers, no movement has been made towards any resolution of the pay impasse which has now been in place for 3 years, or, indeed, to seek funding to enable us to properly resource our schools and properly provide a service for the children in our care.
"To be clear, none of us want to take this action. But neither do any of us want teachers and school leaders to continue papering over ever growing cracks in our system which have only got worse since the beginning of this academic year.
"We are losing teachers, our student teachers already have plans to go elsewhere, and our system as we have known it is beginning to implode. Those of you in schools are reporting ever-increasing frustration at the complete lack of resources, the inability to get supply teachers, the inability to access outside support. And all of this against a backdrop of a salary which is pitiful when compared to our colleagues across the water who are doing exactly the same job.
"We have carried the system for far too long. We need to be recognised, to be valued, to be respected. We need to stand up for ourselves."
NASUWT have explained that the last 13 years have seen cuts of 38% to teachers’ pay in real terms. Teachers are also getting a raw deal on workload with 91% of teachers reporting that the demands of the job have adversely affected their mental health in the last 12 months while 64% said the job had adversely affected their physical health. Teachers and principals are being left to deal with a workload crisis with more and more demands and expectations being placed on schools. *
The strike action involves classroom teachers, substitute teachers, vice-principals and principals.
