Strike Threat to OFSTED Inspections

Ofsted inspections across England could be hit by strike action in a dispute over pay, UNISON and PCS warned today (3 April). 1,000 inspectors, administrative staff and managers are planning to ballot for strike action after pay talks broke down. Ofsted has imposed a below inflation pay settlement along with a deeply unfair new structure, which the unions rejected.

UNISON National Officer for Ofsted, Helga Pile, said:

“Our members are crucial to ensuring that every infant at nursery or teenager in care is properly looked after and educated. To work effectively this system needs to be properly funded, and it’s high time that the Government and Ofsted finally realised this.

“Inspectors have been pushed to breaking point by Ofsted constantly demanding more work for less pay. The cost of living is soaring, yet our members are being expected to sign up to an unjust new pay structure and three years of below inflation pay settlements.

“These highly skilled workers will have no choice but to vote with their feet unless they are made a more realistic offer.”

An inspector and UNISON member said:

“It is often impossible and always stressful trying to keep up with ever-increasing targets for completing inspections and registering care providers. I am now also expected to manage for the next three years without a pay increase when the cost of petrol, food, heating and electricity is going through the roof. Something has got to give.”

Neil March, PCS negotiations officer for Ofsted, said:

“This three year pay offer is totally unacceptable and will result in a significant number of hardworking staff receiving nothing in the first two years with others receiving less than 2%. Below inflation pay and cutting pay in real terms will do nothing for the morale of staff and yet again Ofsted staff working in highly stressful call centre environments have been overlooked.

“As below inflation pay offers increase tension across the public sector, management and the government need to act swiftly to avoid unnecessary industrial action.”

The imposed settlement covers three years and is based on moving staff to a new pay structure.

The only guaranteed increases are 2% in the first year and 1% in each of the next two years – figures way below inflation.

The new pay structure is divisive and favours the higher paid grades. For example, a third of all early years and social care inspectors and managers will have their salary frozen in years 1 and 2 – and a quarter are still frozen in year 3. Of the rest, who qualify for a salary increase, half are due to get 2% or less in each of the first two years.

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