Three teaching unions in Northern Ireland have recently voted to accept a pay offer put forth by Education Minister Paul Givan after a prolonged period of stagnant wages. Teachers in Northern Ireland have not seen an increase in pay for three years, leading to significant unrest and strike action among the five main teaching unions.
The three unions that have accepted the terms of the 2021-24 pay offer are NASUWT, INTO, and NAHT. Minister Givan’s proposal aims to bring starting salaries for teachers in Northern Ireland on par with their counterparts in England. This move has been seen as a positive step towards addressing the long-standing issue of wage disparity.
Dr. Patrick Roach, general secretary of NASUWT, expressed that the pay award for Northern Ireland teachers has been long overdue. He emphasized the importance of real terms pay restoration for the teaching profession. Similarly, Justin McCamphill from the same union stressed the necessity of fair pay increases for teachers, calling on the education minister to prioritize negotiations for the coming years.
Dr. Graham Gault of NAHT welcomed the new starting wage as a positive development for recruitment and retention in the education sector. However, he highlighted remaining concerns around workload issues that need to be addressed. Dr. Roach also urged the Department of Education and employers to fulfill their commitments in tackling excessive workload to prevent further disruptions in the education system.
Despite acknowledging that the pay offer is not perfect, INTO’s Caoimhin MacColaim recognized it as a significant and much-needed increase in pay for teachers and school leaders, particularly in light of financial pressures.
The pay offer includes a proposed 24.3% increase for newly-qualified teachers, with the starting salary expected to rise to £30,000 from September 2023. Additionally, a cumulative total of 10.4%, plus an additional £1,000, will be applied to other teachers’ and leadership pay scales.
Overall, the acceptance of the pay offer signifies a step towards addressing the long-standing issue of teacher pay in Northern Ireland. The unions and educators are hopeful that this move will lead to improved working conditions and better outcomes for both teachers and students in the region.
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