NEU warns Labour of strike action if pay offer is ‘unacceptable’
The union warned that it will make Labour MPs ‘pay a high political price’ through campaigning if the STRB recommendation is not above inflation or fully funded
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), has warned the government that industrial action will be taken if Labour does not offer teachers a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise.NEU conference delegates have voted today to launch a final strike ballot if the outcome of the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) process “remains unacceptable” and if pay is not above inflation.
Speaking at the conference, Kebede said that “after 14 years of conservative austerity, we expect better from a Labour government”.
“So my message to government is this. If the STRB recommendation is not above inflation – if it is not a pay award that takes a step towards a correction in pay – if it does not address the crisis in recruitment and retention – and unless it is fully funded, then we stand ready to act industrially.”
He added: “We will make Labour MPs pay a high political price through our campaigning in their constituencies, with parents, across the country. Government say it would be indefensible for the NEU to take industrial action. Well I say to this government, it is indefensible for a Labour Government, a Labour Government, to cut school funding.”
In addition, Kebede called for salary caps on Trust CEOs as well as full financial transparency from every academy trust.
He added that while schools are struggling to afford basic resources, with support staff being paid “poverty wages” and more teachers leaving the profession “in droves”, some academy CEOs are “cashing in”.
Kebede also acknowledged that in the past year the industry has “witnessed the undeniable power of local industrial action”.
In 2024, 219 formal ballots were approved by the action committee and 593 days of action were taken by members, more than double the previous year.