Teachers in Wales to strike again after union rejects pay offer

Teachers in Wales will be striking on Thursday March 2 after the National Education Union Cymru rejected a new pay offer from the Welsh Government.

A Valentine’s Day walkout was called off earlier this month after a new deal was tabled by Welsh Education Minister Jeremy Miles.

Teachers have been offered an extra 1.5% on this year’s 5% pay award, as well as a 1.5% one-off payment. The Welsh Government has insisted this is the maximum it can afford.

Teachers want an above-inflation rise of about 12% and the NEU has now rejected the pay offer.

NEU Joint General Secretary Kevin Courtney said: “In good faith the union postponed the day of action scheduled for February 14, whilst we conveyed full details of the Jeremy Miles’ offer and sought feedback from members in Wales.

“They have emphatically informed us that the offer of an additional 1.5% added to teachers pay, plus an additional 1.5% lump-sum is simply not good enough and fails to address either the cost-of-living crisis, spiralling inflation, nor the damage done to pay since 2010.

“We have a clear mandate for strike action that is now rescheduled for March 2 in schools across Wales.

“We have thanked the minister for being prepared to negotiate with us, in stark contrast to the Westminster government”

NEU Wales Secretary David Evans added: “NEU Cymru are committed to seeking a resolution to this dispute on behalf of teacher and support staff members employed across Wales. Our demands have been clear, and we will meet with the minister and his officials as often as necessary in order to seek to secure a deal that will resolve all issues.

“Whilst we acknowledge that the Welsh Government have made offers that include seeking to address workload and reopening negotiations for 2023/24, those offers still fall short of our members expectations and needs.”

Schools closed

Members of the NEU went on strike on February 1 closing the majority of schools in Caerphilly County Borough. It is likely this latest action will have a similar result.

Further strikes are also expected on Wednesday March 15, and Thursday March 16.

Laura Anne Jones, the Welsh Conservative’s Shadow Education Minister, said: “The fact remains that the Labour government have consistently failed to address workload pressures and implement a plan to attract and retain teaching talent in our schools.

“Labour were somehow able to manifest millions out of thin air to put out a better pay offer, despite stating that they did not have enough money to do so, but the NEU has rejected this new offer anyway.”

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Children and Young People, added: “If the Welsh Government is serious about investing in our children’s futures, then ensuring people working in the teaching profession receive a fair wage and better working conditions is absolutely essential.”