2026 Pay claim
The NJC Support Staff unions submitted their pay claim for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 on 1 December 2025.
The claim is for the following:
- An increase of at least £3,000 or 10% (whichever is greater) across all NJC spinal column points.
In addition:
- A two-hour reduction in the working week.
- An increase of one day annual leave.
- The ability of all school support staff to take a day of paid leave during term time.
- The abolition of Level 1 teaching assistant role and instead all Level 1 role holders be moved onto Level 2.
You can read the full claim
here.
March 2026
The National Employers made a ‘full and final, one-year offer’ of an increase of 3.3% to all NJC points 3 to 43 inclusive and on all pay points above the maximum of the pay spine but graded below deputy chief officer (in accordance with Green Book Part 2 Paragraph 5.4).
June 2026
GMB, Unison and Unite rejected the pay offer. Unison will be conducting targeted strike ballots from 9 July to 6 August (in Northern Ireland from 8 September to 13 October). GMB is seeking to identify potential employers for future local ballots. Unite will be conducting targeted industrial action ballots from 16 July to 17 August.
August 2026
The 2026 pay award for support staff employed under the NJC Green Book was agreed on 24 August. The award is for an increase of 3.3% on all NJC pay points (3 to 43 inclusive) and allowances, and on all pay points above the maximum of the pay spine but below deputy chief officer.
Employers are encouraged to implement the pay award as swiftly as possible, and the National Employers also recommend that if requested by an ex-employee to do so, employers should pay any monies due to that employee from 1 April 2026 to the employee’s last day of employment.
All the information is
available here.