Why are teachers going on strike? | The Sun

TEACHERS across the UK are set to strike in March 2023 in a dispute over pay.

Here, we look at who will be affected and why they are taking industrial action.

Are teachers going on strike?

It was announced in February 2023 that strikes are planned nationally, with seven dates for industrial action revealed.

The National Education Union (NEU) is the UK's largest education union, and says the strike will affect 23,400 schools in England and Wales.

The 2023 dates are as follows:

• March 15 and 16: Two-day strike of all schools in England and Wales

READ MORE ON TEACHERS

Parents fume after finding out schools are closed just hours before teacher strike

Full list of school closures today as teachers walk out across the nation

Why are teachers going on strike?

The disagreement all stems from teacher's pay.

The Teachers' Union, NASUWT, is calling for a fully-funded 12% pay award for 2022/23, stating that with inflation above 11%, the current offer is nothing more than a pay-cut.

Most state-school teachers in England and Wales have received a 5% pay increase this year.

Teachers in Northern Ireland have been offered a 3.2% pay increase over the last two years.

Most read in The Sun

DOING THE SPLIT

Strictly's Giovanni Pernice & Jowita Przystal call it quits after romance

LUCKY ESCAPE

Watch emotional moment groom cries after Dysart Dynamo survives horror fall

PRISON DEATH

Dreamboys boss dead after being jailed for trying to kill ex who kissed star

TATT'S NEW

Katie Price reveals most shocking tattoo yet – with THONG inked on bum

Where are teacher strikes taking place?

Sixteen days of strike action was initially agreed for the start of 2023, and more could follow.

The strikes announced in England and Wales will affect around 23,400 schools.

Northern Ireland is also taking action on the morning of Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

Rolling strikes will then continue between March 13 and April 21.

Will schools close if teachers go on strike?

The decisions will rest with the following:

• Scotland: local councils decide.
• England: head teachers decide, no minimum staffing rules.
• Wales: head teachers decide in consultation with local authorities.

Parents and guardians are entitled to time off if normal arrangements are broken, but it would be up to the employer if they would pay for this time off.

How much do teachers get paid?

New qualified teachers (NQT) start with a pay scale ranging from £28,000 to £34,502 depending on location.

The Scottish equivalent of an NQT is a probationer, who, unlike an NQT, is initially employed on a probationary contract.

The current probationer's salary is £27,498.

In Northern Ireland, the minimum salary on the main pay scale is £24,137.

The pay scales for qualified teachers are split into main and upper pay ranges, which differ between countries across the UK:

• England (excluding London) and Wales – £28,000 to £38,810
• London – £29,344 to £40,083 (fringes), £32,407 to £43,193 (outer), £34,502 to £44,756 (inner)
• Scotland – £33,729 to £42,336
• Northern Ireland – £24,137 to £41,094

Read More on The Sun

I shared my Netflix account with a pal and regret it – don’t make the same mistake

Fan spots the best perfume dupes at Aldi that’d be perfect for Mother’s Day

The highest teaching salaries across the UK are paid to headteachers:

• England (excluding London) and Wales – £50,122 to £123,057
• London – £51,347 to £131,353
• Scotland – £52,350 to £99,609
• Northern Ireland – £47,381 to £117,497

Source: Read Full Article