NASUWT Teachers’ Union rejects latest Welsh Government pay offer

The NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union has rejected a revised pay offer put forward by the Welsh Government. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Earlier this month Education Minister Jeremy Miles tabled an additional 3% for teaching staff – on top of the earlier offer of 5%. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Of this 1.5% is consolidated and 1.5% is non-consolidated. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

But after putting the deal to its members, 69% of respondents stated they wished to refuse the offer. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Two thirds (66%) said they felt the revised offer was unfair in the current circumstances. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “While we acknowledge that the Welsh Government finally brought a new offer to the table after many months of requests, the fact remains that the revised offer represents a further real terms pay cut for teachers. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The fact that the majority of members have told us they reject this offer reflects both the depth of anger among teachers at the years of cuts to their pay and the significant impact which the cost of living crisis is having on their finances. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We are also concerned about the lack of detail from the Welsh Government to a number of its proposals, and it is disappointing that we are yet to receive satisfactory answers to a number of questions we have raised. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The NASUWT is committed to a further industrial action ballot of members in Wales unless an improved offer is forthcoming.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Neil Butler, NASUWT National Official Wales, said: “We remain in dispute with the Welsh Government over teachers’ pay. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“It is clear that members support our view that a competitive and just pay award for teachers which will support recruitment and retention into the profession is more than necessary, it is essential. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The Welsh Government must come forward with a further pay offer which addresses seriously the real-terms erosion of teachers’ salaries since 2010 which has happened on their watch.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​