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Four unions representing teachers in Northern Ireland have suspended planned industrial action. The action short of strike was due to begin on Monday and run for four weeks.
INTO, the UTU, the NEU and NASUWT had balloted their members over what they described as the lack of “a satisfactory pay offer for 2024-25”.
The unions have now said the action has been suspended “in an effort to successfully conclude negotiations”.
INTO Northern Secretary, Mark McTaggart said they “have not taken this step lightly,” adding that the unions “are fully prepared to engage in industrial action if necessary at the end of the four-week period”.
Jacquie White, the General Secretary of the Ulster Teachers’ Union, welcomed progress in the negotiations over the past few days.
“All we ask is for a decent, fair and equitable pay award for 2024/2025. This positive step allows for intense negotiations over the next few weeks,” she added.
Education Minister Paul Givan welcomed the suspension of industrial action.
He said that teachers “deserve a fair and appropriate pay settlement” and that he is “determined to achieve that”.
Teachers in England received a 5.5% pay rise for 2024-25 from the government in September. Despite the fact that it is more than halfway through the 2024-25 financial year, no pay deal for teachers in Northern Ireland has yet been agreed.
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