More strikes could be on the cards for Northern Ireland’s schools after the summer break as another leading teaching union confirmed it will ballot members on industrial action.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) says it has no option but to seek a mandate for industrial action from the membership in response to the continued lack of progress in achieving a decent and fair pay uplift for teachers and in the face of the worsening cost of living crisis.
It comes as members of the Unite Union who work for the Education Authority (EA) have been on strike in recent weeks over pay disputes.
Read more: Teaching unions urge new Stormont ministers to prevent 'possible strike action'
Last month the Ulster Teachers' Union joined forces with the INTO, the National Education Union (NEU) and National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) in a joint pay campaign.
Almost a year on since Northern Ireland's teachers submitted their initial pay claim to the Education Minister, they say there has still been no movement.
INTO Northern Committee Chairperson, Marie O’Shea, said many teachers are already at breaking point.
“INTO members are telling me they cannot any longer simply get by on their current salaries. They are finding it impossible to make ends meet in the face of escalating costs associated with energy and food.
“Our members are deserving of a decent and fair pay rise, a pay rise which takes account of price inflation and one which truly reflects and indeed rewards their contribution in keeping the education system functioning in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, which hasn’t gone away.”
Ms O’Shea added: “We will be balloting them in the early in September seeking support to commence a campaign of industrial action up to and including strike action, if necessary.”
In April, Northern Ireland's largest teaching union, the NASUWT, said 98% of its members have voted in favour of industrial action as part of a dispute over pay, working conditions and workload.
The NASUWT also said 81% of ballots returned advocated for strike action, due to the "deep anger" at the current state of affairs in the education sector.
Last month, the union announced the action short of strike but has since ruled out an escalation to a strike.
The action impacts on a number of duties, including covering for other staff, overseeing exams, lesson plans, inspections and parent-teacher meetings.
But those in the union taking action short of a strike could have pay deducted for breaching their contract, according to a letter from the Management Side, the umbrella body for teaching employers in Northern Ireland.
The letter to school principals said the NASUWT action had implications for "teachers' contractual obligations".
The NASUWT's National Official for Northern Ireland Justin McCamphill told the BBC the letter was "inflammatory and a naked attempt to intimidate and create anxiety for teachers immediately prior to the start of the summer break".
The union previously called a two-year pay offer made in February "measly" and "derisory".
Members of the NAHT also recently backed industrial action in an indicative ballot.
Members of the Unite union, including bus drivers and those in non-teaching roles who employed directly by the Education Authority, went on strike on several dates during April and May.
These strikes had an impact particularly on school transport and on some special schools throughout Northern Ireland.
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