The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has also secured an “unmistakable mandate” for industrial action.
Members voted 96% in favour of industrial action short of strike and 81% in favour of strike action, which the union said reflected “the depth of concern across the profession about workload, funding pressures and the sustainability of school leadership”.
Graham Gault, national secretary of NAHT (NI), said “members have spoken with remarkable clarity” and “are telling us that the current situation is no longer sustainable”.
“Meaningful action is needed to address the pressures that are preventing them from carrying out their core responsibilities of leading learning, supporting staff and safeguarding children.”
Members of Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) said 91% of ballot papers returned voted in support of strike action, with 99% in support of action short of strike.
Turnout in the ballot was 46%.
Mark McTaggart, INTO Northern Secretary, said union members have “delivered a decisive mandate” to Givan.
“Members remain steadfast in their view that workload concerns must be addressed and are prepared to engage in both strike action and action short of strike in pursuit of meaningful change.”
“Without tangible progress, significant industrial action is likely to follow,” he said.
UTU members also voted in favour of taking action in the ongoing dispute over teacher and school leader workload.
71% voted in support of strike action and 95% in support of action short of strike.
UTU General Secretary Jacquie White said the decision to ballot members followed “intensive talks over the summer period” between unions and employers.
She said, however, that though her union remains committed to negotiations, they “must see urgent resolution which leads to tangible change in schools and classrooms, and we must see such change delivered now”.
The NEU have indicated they will follow suit and join in preparing for industrial action.
In a statement, the minister said he recognised the pressures on the profession and he had personally requested the setting up of a panel to identify workload issues.
He said his department and employers were “committed to implementing” the panel’s recommendations.
“Significant progress has been made through the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) conciliation process,” Givan added.
The minister also pointed out that the ballot for industrial action was initiated before the recent negotiations began.
He claimed the outcome “does not reflect the genuine efforts that have been made by all parties to find a resolution”.
