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Teachers in Northern Ireland are preparing to vote on whether to undertake industrial action in response to what they describe as an overwhelming and unsustainable workload. This ballot will be conducted by the region’s five main teaching unions starting from 10 June and may result in strike action once the new school year begins.
The unions argue that, despite a pay agreement reached in 2025, the issue of excessive workload remains a major concern for educators. In response to these ongoing worries, the Education Minister at Stormont, Paul Givan, had previously initiated an independent review focusing on teachers’ workloads. Completed in 2025, this report made 27 recommendations aimed specifically at cutting down on tasks not directly related to teaching and learning. It also highlighted a significant increase in workload connected to Special Educational Needs (SEN) for both teachers and school leadership.
Despite these efforts, the teaching unions collectively stated they believe the department’s action plan has fallen short of adequately addressing the problem. In their joint announcement about the ballot, NASUWT, INTO, UTU, NAHT, and NEU expressed that there was “no alternative” but to pursue industrial action. Leaders from these unions have criticized the department, with NASUWT’s Justin McCamphill accusing it of hesitation and unwillingness to tackle difficult workload issues head-on. Similarly, INTO’s Mark McTaggart and UTU’s Jacquie White emphasized unresolved concerns and a lack of promising changes for the upcoming academic year. NAHT’s Graham Gault remarked that “school leaders have yet to experience any meaningful reduction in the huge pressures they face,” while NEU’s Pauline Buchanan described progress on key matters as insufficient.
Paul Givan, the Education Minister, expressed his regret at the unions’ decision to proceed with balloting. He reiterated that managing teacher and school leader workload has been a central priority for his department, highlighting the existence of a clear reform programme designed to foster a more manageable workload culture. Givan urged educators to carefully consider the ongoing reforms and practical initiatives already underway, stressing that meaningful and sustained improvements can only come through collaborative efforts
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