On 10 June 2026, ballot slips were sent by post to all serving members in Northern Ireland to vote on industrial action.
This is a significant moment in our dispute. Over many months, we have engaged fully and constructively to secure meaningful change. Despite this, the core issues remain unresolved. Workload is unsustainable and unsafe, and school leadership is being prevented from focusing on its essential purpose.
This ballot is about securing the conditions you need to do your job safely and effectively.
It is about ensuring that:
- Members can focus on learning, teaching and safeguarding
- The role of leadership is sustainable into the future
- The system responds properly to the reality you are living every day.
We have created this interactive explainer to help parents and the wider public understand the dispute and the crisis that has prompted it.
Vote 'yes' and 'yes'
We are now asking members to deliver the strongest possible mandate by voting YES to industrial action short of strike and YES to strike action.
A strong and unequivocal Yes/Yes vote sends a clear message that the current situation is unacceptable and that school leaders are prepared to support proportionate action to secure change.
It also:
- Strengthens our position at the negotiating table
- Increases pressure on decision-makers
- Maximises the chances of achieving a fair and meaningful resolution.
Without that mandate, our ability to act, and to protect members, is significantly weakened.
What to look out for
You will receive a paper envelope - pictured below - marked NAHT, delivered to your home address.
Inside you will find:
- Your official ballot paper
- A pre-paid return envelope.
Please:
- Open it immediately
- Complete your vote
- Return it as soon as possible.
The ballot will close at 12 noon on 1 September 2026, but early returns are essential to ensure maximum participation.
What happens if members vote yes
If members vote in favour, NAHT Northern Ireland will:
- Implement a programme of industrial action short of strike aimed at reducing workload pressures
- Ensure any action is proportionate and carefully planned
- Continue to prioritise minimising impact on children and school communities
Strike action would remain a last resort, to be used only if every effort to secure a resolution has been exhausted.
FAQs
We provide a list of frequently asked questions below, on:
- What is the action about?
- What is the formal ballot process?
- Why is NAHT not running an indicative ballot?
- What is industrial action?
- Is this action lawful?
- Which categories of member will participate in action?
- Can members who joined after the ballot take part in action and be protected?
- Will I have my salary deducted?
- Can I be dismissed for taking part in the action?
- Will participation in industrial action affect my pension, continuous service or redundancy rights?
- Do I need to tell my employer and the governing body that I am taking part in the action?
- What is NAHT going to do to protect the reputation of school leaders who are taking action?
- Can the employers direct other workers to undertake the duties of members taking part in the industrial action?
- Which members are being asked to take action?
- Is this the same as the teachers’ dispute?
- Do I have to participate in the action?
- What if parents complain?
- How do I contact NAHT officials?
What is the action about?
This action arises from a sustained and serious deterioration in the working conditions of school leaders, particularly in relation to workload, well-being, safety and the professional functioning of the role.
Over an extended period, NAHT Northern Ireland has engaged constructively with employers, the Department of Education and system partners to secure meaningful and lasting improvements. We have clearly and consistently set out the concerns of our members and the urgent need for change. Through direct engagement, school visits, locality group meetings and formal consultation, members have been unequivocal: current expectations are unsustainable and, in many cases, unsafe.
The central issue is not simply 'too much work'. It is that work is increasingly sitting in the wrong place. School leaders are now routinely required to undertake a wide range of administrative, operational and compliance tasks that have evolved over time and been devolved into schools without the necessary capacity or support. This includes areas such as HR administration, procurement, estates and safety management, complaints handling, data returns and multi-agency coordination. As a result, the core purpose of school leadership (ie, leading learning and teaching, safeguarding pupils, developing staff and driving school improvement) is being crowded out.
This position has been reinforced by evidence gathered directly from members. Our workload survey and engagement activity show that administrative burdens now dominate the working lives of many school leaders, with a clear and consistent impact on health, well-being and work-life balance. Members report long working hours, escalating pressure and increasing difficulty in sustaining the role over time. This is now not only a workload issue, but a matter of workforce sustainability, system stability and protection of schools.
Following the declaration of a formal trade dispute in February 2026, NAHT Northern Ireland took a structured and proportionate approach, providing multiple opportunities for resolution. This included defined engagement periods, extended negotiation windows and clear deadlines for progress. While there has been recognition at a policy level that workload must be addressed, this has not translated into tangible, funded or deliverable change at school level.
Three key deadlines have now passed without the necessary action. While discussions have taken place and commitments have been outlined, they have not delivered the substantive outcomes required to protect members or to stabilise the system. As a result, school leaders continue to operate under intense and unacceptable pressure, with significant implications for their ability to fulfil their roles effectively and safely.
Industrial action has therefore become necessary. This decision has not been taken lightly. NAHT Northern Ireland has consistently sought to resolve this dispute through dialogue and negotiation, and we remain committed to doing so. However, we have now reached the point where all reasonable avenues to secure change within agreed timeframes have been exhausted.
The purpose of this action is clear:
- to secure meaningful, system-level change
- to protect school leaders from unsustainable and unsafe workload
- and to ensure that the role of school leadership is restored, viable and sustainable for the future
Ultimately, this is about creating the conditions in which school leaders can do the job they are trained to do; leading schools, supporting staff and improving outcomes for children and young people.
What is the formal ballot process?
On 10 June 2026, NAHT Northern Ireland begins a formal industrial action ballot of members as part of our ongoing trade dispute on workload, well-being, safety and the professional functioning of school leadership.
All eligible members will receive a postal ballot paper. You are asked to vote on two questions: whether you are prepared to take strike action, and whether you are prepared to take industrial action short of strike. It is essential that you complete and return your ballot paper as soon as possible using the prepaid envelope provided.
The ballot is conducted in accordance with statutory requirements, and a strong turnout, together with a clear mandate, is critical. The law requires that, if successful, any action must begin within a defined period following the close of the ballot.
The extended balloting window that we have provided presents a further opportunity for meaningful engagement. It allows the employing authorities and the Department of Education a reasonable and generous period to return to negotiations and to bring forward proposals capable of delivering a genuine and acceptable resolution. This approach balances the need to move forward decisively with the continued willingness of NAHT(NI) to resolve this dispute through negotiation, provided that engagement results in real, substantive change for members.
A decisive vote in favour of action will provide NAHT Northern Ireland with the authority and leverage needed to pursue a satisfactory resolution on your behalf. Without that mandate, our ability to act effectively and to secure meaningful change is significantly limited.
The ballot closes at 12 noon on 1 September 2026.
Why is NAHT not running an indicative ballot?
In many disputes, unions begin with an indicative ballot to assess the strength of members’ views before moving to a formal statutory ballot. In this case, NAHT Northern Ireland has taken the considered decision to proceed directly to a formal ballot.
This reflects the strength, consistency and clarity of member feedback over a sustained period. Through a series of online engagement meetings, including a large-scale emergency meeting on 4 February, and subsequent wider polling of the wider membership, the message has been unequivocal: workload is unsustainable, current proposals will not deliver meaningful relief and decisive action is required.
These findings have been reinforced through ongoing engagement with members, including at our annual leadership conference, where the depth of concern and the readiness to act were again clearly expressed. Collectively, this engagement has provided a robust and reliable evidence base of member sentiment.
Given this clear mandate, conducting an indicative ballot would not have added materially to our understanding. Instead, it would have introduced unnecessary delay at a point where members have been explicit about both the scale of the problem and the need for urgent action.
What is industrial action?
Industrial action is a lawful and legitimate form of collective action that involves members acting in a way that departs from the normal expectations of their contract of employment. It is how a unionised workforce demonstrates its collective position on matters such as workload, well-being and working conditions.
It is always a last resort. NAHT Northern Ireland has engaged fully and constructively in efforts to secure a resolution, but where those efforts fail, industrial action becomes necessary to protect members and to drive change. Its effectiveness depends on unity. When members act together, it strengthens our collective voice and our ability to secure meaningful outcomes. Conversely, inconsistent participation weakens that position and reduces the pressure on employers to resolve the dispute.
Is this action lawful?
Yes. The right to take industrial action is protected in law. NAHT Northern Ireland has complied fully with all statutory requirements, and members who participate in official, lawful industrial action are afforded legal protection.
Which categories of member will participate in action?
The action applies to all NAHT Northern Ireland members employed in schools whose terms and conditions fall under the Jordanstown Agreement.
Can members who joined after the ballot take part in action and be protected?
Yes. Members who joined after the ballot may take part in the action and will be protected, provided they are employed under the terms and conditions of the Jordanstown Agreement.
Will I have my salary deducted?
Salary deductions may apply where strike action involves a withdrawal of labour (ie not attending work). In such circumstances, deductions may be made for full or partial days.
Where action short of strike is in place, members are continuing to work and should not normally be subject to deductions.
If you believe any deduction has been applied incorrectly, you should contact NAHT Northern Ireland for advice.
Can I be dismissed for taking part in the action?
Members who take part in official, lawful industrial action are protected. Any dismissal for participation in such action within the first twelve weeks would normally be regarded as automatically unfair. Depending on the circumstances, protection may extend beyond that period.
Will participation in industrial action affect my pension, continuous service or redundancy rights?
Where members take part in strike action and are not paid, pension contributions may be affected on a proportionate basis.
Taking part in industrial action does not break continuity of service and will not affect your accrued employment rights, including redundancy entitlement.
Do I need to tell my employer and the governing body that I am taking part in the action?
No. You are under no obligation to inform your employer in advance that you are taking part in industrial action. NAHT Northern Ireland has already formally notified employers of the dispute and the workplaces that may be affected.
However, we strongly encourage you to keep your chair of governors informed. Their understanding and support is important in reinforcing the legitimacy of this action and in applying appropriate pressure on employing authorities. We will provide supporting materials to assist with this.
What is NAHT going to do to protect the reputation of school leaders who are taking action?
The action has been carefully designed to focus pressure on those with the responsibility and capacity to resolve this dispute (namely employers and the Department of Education) while minimising impact on children, families and communities.
At all times, the professionalism and integrity of school leaders is central. The action reflects the reality of the conditions members are working under and the need to restore a safe and sustainable operating environment.
In parallel, NAHT Northern Ireland is implementing a proactive communications strategy to ensure that parents, the public and the media understand both the reasons for the dispute and the measured, responsible approach being taken by members.
Can the employers direct other workers to undertake the duties of members taking part in the industrial action?
Employers may seek to reallocate duties during periods of industrial action. It can be lawful for them to direct other employees to undertake duties, provided those duties fall within the scope of those employees’ contracts. In some cases, individuals may also choose to undertake additional work voluntarily.
However, we work closely with other unions and would expect that colleagues will act responsibly and in solidarity, and not take on duties that would undermine legitimate and lawful industrial action.
Which members are being asked to take action?
The action applies to principals, vice-principals, assistant principals and middle leader members working across all sectors, including controlled, maintained, integrated, Irish-medium, grant-maintained and voluntary grammar schools.
Is this the same as the teachers’ dispute?
Broadly, yes. While the specific actions taken by NAHT Northern Ireland reflect the distinct responsibilities of school leadership, and the terms of the NAHT dispute differs slightly from those of sister unions, our disputes arise from the same underlying issues affecting the wider education workforce.
We continue to work closely with the teachers’ unions in pursuit of a resolution that delivers sustainable workload, safe working conditions and a properly functioning system for all teachers and school leaders across every sector.
Do I have to participate in the action?
No member is legally obliged to take part in industrial action. However, where members have voted in favour of action, collective participation is essential to its success.
Choosing not to take part undermines the union’s position and weakens our ability to secure meaningful change, not only in this dispute, but in any future engagement with employers. For that reason, we ask in the strongest possible terms that members support and implement the action as directed, unless advised otherwise by NAHT Northern Ireland.
What if parents complain?
If concerns or complaints are raised, these should be directed to the employers and the Department of Education, who have both the responsibility and the authority to resolve this dispute.
It is important that parents and the wider community understand where accountability lies. Employers have the capacity to bring about a resolution and to address the issues that have given rise to this action.
We recommend that you signpost parents to the most appropriate employing authority for your sector:
Richard Pengelly, CEO: Education Authority, 40 Academy Street, Belfast, BT1
richard.pengelly@eani.org.uk
Eamonn Broderick, CEO: CCMS, Linen Hill House, 23 Linenhall Street, Lisburn, BT28 1FJ
eamonn.broderick@ccmsschools.com
Maria Thomasson, acting CEO, CnaG, Áras na bhFál, 200-202 Falls Road, Belfast, BT12 6AH
mariathomasson@comhairle.org
Roisin Marshall, CEO: NICIE, 25 College Gardens, Belfast, BT9 6BS
rmarshall@nicie.org.uk
Nuala O’Neill, director: Governing Bodies Association, Fountain Centre, Belfast, BT1 6ET
nuala@gbani.org
Mark Bailey, director of workforce: DENI, Rathgael House, Balloo Road, Bangor, Co Down, BT19
mark.bailey@education-ni.gov.uk
David Malcolm, permanent secretary: DENI, Rathgael House, Balloo Road, Bangor, Co Down, BT19
David.Malcolm@education-ni.gov.uk
How do I contact NAHT officials?
Should you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at nahtni@naht.org.uk, or by telephone on 02890 776 633.