Dear colleague

Britain is facing the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. Energy bills are soaring, inflation is at a forty-year high and things look set to get even worse.

But this Government has said experienced teachers’ pay should only go up by five per cent this year.

That means, in real terms, most teachers will see at least a seven per cent cut in their pay.

Across the past decade, many teacher salaries have declined by a staggering 20 per cent.

Teachers in Wales work longer hours than almost anywhere else in the world, yet we’re still finding it hard to make ends meet.

Long hours and poor pay mean teachers are leaving the profession in their droves.

One in eight teachers leave after just a year in the job and a staggering one in three leave within five years.

There hasn’t been a teachers’ strike over pay since 2008. Educators don’t want to strike – we want to be in the classroom teaching our pupils.

But we just can’t stand by and watch the biggest real terms decline in teachers’ pay this century.

If we do, the problems with teacher recruitment and retention will just keep getting bigger, damaging your children’s education.

We will keep talking to the Government, but it must offer a serious solution to a serious problem.

Educators need a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise. And we need it now.

Next steps – together we can win

• We are asking ALL members to vote in the electronic ballot between 24 September and 14 October to show the Government the strength of our resolve.
• Hold a school meeting to discuss the issue and elect a rep if your school doesn’t have one.
• Recruit any non-union members to the NEU – especially new starters.
• If the Government doesn’t act, you will receive a ballot paper through the post in early November asking if you are willing to take industrial action for a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise.
• We will ask ALL members to vote and to vote YES to taking action.

Yours sincerely