STRIKE action is set to affect the opening weeks of the new school term.
The NASUWT has given notice of three days of strikes on September 12, October 18 and October 19, with announcements also expected from two other unions.
Teachers have been involved in a pay dispute over pay since late in 2022 when negotiations began over a pay settlement for this year.
Although many other public sector workers agreed a 7.9% pay increase, teachers and nurses have yet to settle, and in July the National Education union staged a one-day strike, while NASUWT members took part in a work to rule.
The government has been accused of reneging on a promise to make a backdated pay award of 7.9% for 2023 as an interim move while negotiations continued. This move had had initially prompted the NASUWT to withdraw plans for strike action announced in July.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said: ‘This backdated pay award would have gone some way towards addressing the impact of the cost of living crisis and real-terms cuts that teachers have been subjected to.
‘But the promises of backdated pay have been cynically withdrawn without explanation.
‘Our members have been angered by the actions of the government and they are resolute in stepping up their industrial action.’
Dr Roach described the strike action as ‘completely avoidable’, but said it would continue until the States Employment Board delivered a better deal for teachers on pay and working conditions.
The NEU and the National Association of Headteachers are expected to announce their latest moves today ahead of pupils returning to school tomorrow.
