Community Union members have voted to accept the UK Government’s offer of a 6.5% pay increase for teachers – but the union has warned ministers that more needs to be done on retention of experienced teachers to prevent ‘an exodus of teachers from classrooms’.
Over 90% of the union’s members in its Education & Early Years sector – which represents teachers, headteachers, education, school support staff and early years staff – indicated their support for the offer, compared to under 10% who voted against.
Community members have been campaigning for improved wages for teachers, and senior union officials gave evidence to the Schools Teachers’ Review Body (STRB) – the independent body tasked with making recommendations on pay in the sector – on salaries, the issue of retention in the profession, and increased planning and preparation time for teachers.
