The National Education Union (NEU) undertook a preliminary online ballot, followed by an indicative ballot between 1 March and 11 April 2025 over the proposed pay offer of 2.8% for 2025/6.
The NEU view the proposed offer made by the Department for Education insufficient to address the crisis in recruitment and retention, and have severe concerns around the lack of funding attached and the need for schools to cut staff and resources in order to deliver it.
The indicative online ballot which closed last week found 84% said they would be willing to take action to secure an increased pay award.
However, the turnout in that ballot was 47.2%, which in a formal ballot would fall below the 50% threshold unions must meet for legal industrial action.
This week the NEU plan to pass motion at their conference in Harrogate stating that the indicative ballot had sent a strong message to government, and calling for a fully-funded above inflation pay rise for educators.
If passed the motion would instruct the union’s executive to prepare for a formal ballot, and launch one if the final outcome of the STRB process remains unacceptable or if the government does not announce real terms funding increases in the June spending review.
It would also instruct the leadership to consider disengaging from the STRB process if the government do not accept any STRB recommendation of an above inflation pay offer.
Any strike action would likely take place in the autumn term at the earliest.
HR Customers can access resources and guidance on this topic on the Industrial Action pages of the HR Hub.
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