We will know by early August whether widespread school closures are likely this autumn with the teacher pay dispute showing no signs of being resolved.
Ballots for strike action have been opened by the NASUWT, National Education Union (NEU), and National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), with one union leader accusing the government of “intransigence, petulance and contempt for the views of our members”.
The votes close on July 10 (NASUWT), July 28 (NEU) and July 31 (NAHT). A ballot held by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) – the first in its history – is also to take place this term.
Last month, all four unions pledged to coordinate their autumn strike action should their respective ballots meet government legal thresholds needed to be valid.
The NAHT and NEU ballots opened this week. The NASUWT is due to open its own vote on June 5. We are still awaiting news of when the ASCL vote will open.
