TEACHERS head into the spring conference season this weekend having rejected the latest management pay offer.
Earlier this month, the Northern Ireland Teachers Council (NITC) asked employers to come back to talks with an improved offer.
Unions said what was on the table continued year-on-year cuts to pay, and had strings attached which had the potential to depress wages even further.
The initial offer is understood to have been a basic 1 per cent increase.
The NASUWT, whose Northern Ireland conference begins today, is urging an across the board above-inflation cost of living award.
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: "Having made one offer which was inadequate they returned with one which was worse.
“The NASUWT presented detailed evidence demonstrating the impact of years of ongoing pay caps and pay freezes on teachers’ salaries and the employers have failed to take these concerns seriously.
“Pay has declined. Workload has increased. Jobs have been lost.
“Teachers’ pay and conditions of service are inextricably linked to the provision of high quality education."
Justin McCamphill, NASUWT National Official Northern Ireland, added: “With substantial cuts to pay teaching is no longer competitive with other graduate professions.
“Teachers continue to deliver high standards of education day-in, day-out, but their dedication and commitment to the children and young people they teach must not be taken for granted.”
Meanwhile, the NASUWT conference is also expected to hear calls for teachers to be entitled to professional counselling or behaviour therapy when suffering work-related mental health problems.
Motions on a wide range of issues affecting the profession will be debated, with budget cuts, teacher stress, governance and flexible working high on the list.
