Following the rejection of a “insulting” salary offer, schools in England are preparing for additional industrial action.
An overwhelming 98% of National Education Union (NEU) members rejected the proposal, delivering the government a strong message.
Further strike dates have been set for April 27 and May 2, respectively.
The NEU said the offer amounted to a £1,000 payment for the current school year and a 4.3% rise for most teachers next year.
Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, joint general secretaries of the NEU, said: ‘This resounding rejection of the government’s offer should leave Gillian Keegan in no doubt that she will need to come back to the negotiating table with a much better proposal.
‘This shows an astounding lack of judgment and understanding of the desperate situation in the education system.
‘We have today written to the education secretary informing her of the next two days of strike action on April 27 and May 2 that NEU teacher members in England will now be taking.
‘These strikes are more than three weeks away; Gillian Keegan can avoid them.’
The result of the ballot was announced at the beginning of the NEU’s conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, this morning.
It comes despite warnings from education secretary Gillian Keegan that teachers could miss out on an increased pay deal this year if they rejected the offer.
Many schools in the country were forced to partially or fully close during strikes staged by union members in February and March as a result of the dispute.
Members of the NASUWT teaching union, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) are also being asked for feedback on the government’s offer, which some described as ‘inadequate’.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, stressed last week that strikes by school leaders will be ‘necessary’ if members decide to reject it.
In January, a ballot of NAHT members failed to meet the mandatory 50% turnout threshold required for strike action.
But the NAHT has said it could move to a second formal industrial action ballot if its members choose to turn it down.