In an era marked by escalating tensions between the public and private sectors, a widening wage gap in many nations, coupled with struggling educator pay scales, has underlined the urgency for significant federal pay policy reform.

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A report from the National Education Association (NEA) shines a light on the current condition of educator pay nationally, showing that average educator salaries are not keeping pace with inflation. The report reveals that over the last decade, teachers are making an average of $3,644 less than what they were earning previously once inflation is accounted for. Almost 40% of all full-time education support professionals in K-12 schools, and over a third of those encompassing both K-12 and higher education earn less than $25,000 annually.

The analysis reveals that collective bargaining has a substantial impact on earnings. In states that have implemented collective bargaining, teachers typically earn an average of 25% more, while school support staff in those states receive a 15% higher wage. Additionally, in higher education within the same states, faculty members who are part of unions generally earn about $4,000 more than those who are not in unions.

Against this backdrop, international developments, such as the British government’s proposed pay raises for millions of public sector workers, could provide valuable lessons for the United States. Aimed at averting strikes amidst escalating inflation, the proposed increases range between 5% and 7%, targeting a broad spectrum of employees from teachers to prison officers, reported BBC News.

For teachers in the U.K. a proposed 6.5% pay increase hopes to sidestep funding issues. However, The Guardian reported that “Opposition grows among teachers to 6.5% pay offer in England” because “Union members are concerned about funding for the below-inflation increase and the lack of a long-term agreement.”

Concurrently, despite the British Medical Association insisting that a 35% increase is necessary to compensate for years of real-term pay cuts, junior doctors and consultants in England are being offered a 6% raise and a consolidated increase of $975. Doctors in England have launched a five-day strike, which is the most extended walkout in the history of the NHS, according to The Guardian.

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Meanwhile, police and prison officers are due to receive a 7% pay raise, the largest increase of any sector. Despite this, the raises have drawn criticism for being below inflation given the ongoing cost of living crisis. Whether these developments will make these professions more appealing to potential applicants remains to be seen. As the Financial Times reported, “Staff shortages in education and health are worse than in any other area of the U.K. economy as public sector wages fall further behind those offered in the private sector, according to a survey of employers.”

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This sentiment is echoed by the Independent, which concluded the number of unfilled teacher positions in English schools has doubled over the past two years, reporting that “Headteachers warn U.K. facing ‘dangerous’ teacher shortage as recruitment crisis deepens. Employment ‘worst it’s ever been’ as pay and conditions put graduates off profession.”

Given the demand for skilled professionals in education and healthcare, the U.K. government must ensure that their proposed pay increases are sufficient to attract and retain talented individuals. Only then can the nation’s schools and hospitals be adequately staffed with highly qualified personnel. Until then, it appears that this emerging public sector pay crisis is likely to continue.

And so, while the U.S. and the U.K. face distinct challenges, the urgency for federal wage reform is clear in both contexts. With the comparison at hand, the question remains: will these calls for reform result in substantial policy changes on either side of the Atlantic?

Evidently, the issue of public sector wage reform is not limited to the U.S. and the U.K., but is a global phenomenon that needs attention in order for countries to remain competitive and attract high-quality candidates for important positions. The need for reform will only increase as inequality continues to widen, and the gap between those in higher-paying jobs and those in lower-paying ones grows larger. As such, it is essential that governments across the globe address this issue with deliberation and action to ensure a fair system of employment for all citizens. Only then can we hope to see improvement in job satisfaction and recruitment figures, and ultimately, a better quality of life for everyone around the world.