National pay framework in tatters

The on-going erosion of the national pay framework and the failure of the Secretary of State to implement the recommendations of the 28th Report of the School Teachers’ Review Body has left the national pay framework in tatters, the Annual Conference of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, has heard today.

The motion on the national pay framework was debated today at the conference in Belfast, as a survey of NASUWT members found that 73% think potential recruits are being put off a career in teaching because of pay levels.

82% of teachers think teaching is not competitive with other professions in terms of pay, according to the Union’s 2019 Big Question survey of members.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:

“A key contributory factor to the current recruitment and retention crisis is that teachers face a pay lottery with no guarantees about the pay award or pay progression they will receive, however hard they work, however well they perform or whatever the Review Body recommends.

“No other group of workers in public service have been treated so shabbily and unfairly.

“Excessive freedoms and flexibilities given to schools and employers have led to a race to the bottom on teachers’ pay. Discrimination and unfairness is rife.

“Instead of compounding the problem by arrogantly sweeping aside evidence based Review Body recommendations, the Secretary of State should restore the national pay framework, bringing back fairness and certainty of reward to which teachers are entitled.”

ENDS

NASUWT Press Office contacts:
Ben Padley 07785 463 119
Lena Davies 07867 392 746
Sarah Cull 07920 711 069

Notes to editors
The NASUWT’s Annual Conference is being held at the ICC in Belfast from 19-21 April.

The Big Question survey is conducted annually by the NASUWT to assess members’ views on their careers and the teaching profession. 4,156 members responded to the survey which was conducted between February and April 2019.

The full text of the motion is below:

REINSTATING A NATIONAL PAY FRAMEWORK
Conference is appalled by the on-going erosion of the national pay framework and the refusal of the DfE to implement the recommendations of the 28th Report of the School Teachers’ Review Body

Conference calls on the National Executive to campaign for:
(i)         the reinstatement of the national pay framework;
(ii)         fully funded pay increases in pay awards and
(iii)        the outcome of the STRB to be binding.

Conference further calls upon the National Executive to consider balloting members for industrial action up to and including strike action if future STRB recommendations are not implemented in full.
(Birmingham, Leeds, North Tyneside)