Teaching leaders in Wales are being formally balloted for strike action after negotiations with the Welsh Government collapsed. NAHT Cymru, which represents school leaders in Wales, confirmed that talks have broken down and that the union's national executive has endorsed a move to a national statutory ballot for industrial action.
The announcement came as the Welsh Government education minister said teachers' pay would be increased next year at a lower rate than recommended. There will be a 3.5% uplift to teachers' and school leaders' pay scales, and a 5% uplift to the unqualified teachers' pay scale. Further education lecturers will also receive a 3.5% uplift to ensure pay parity.
Pay offer below independent recommendation
Education minister Anna Brychan admitted that a 4.25% rise recommended by an independent body was "not affordable". She also said Welsh Government had matched the English pay award of 3.5% as they "do not wish to see teachers and school leaders in Wales disadvantaged relative to those in England".
NAHT Cymru said it has no confidence that the current process can deliver a fair settlement, and that this represents the second consecutive year in which Welsh Government has failed to implement in full the recommendations of the independent pay review process. The union, along with fellow education union ASCL, had jointly entered a dispute with the Welsh Government.
Union leaders respond
After an announcement this week over the government getting support from Labour funding for additional learning needs (ALN), ASCL said it had successfully negotiated with the Welsh Government. However, NAHT assistant general secretary Robert Kelsall said school leaders would be "bitterly disappointed" by the pay decision.
"We entered negotiations in good faith and worked tirelessly to secure a negotiated settlement that addressed both pay and workload. While some progress was made in discussions on workload, Welsh Government has ultimately chosen to impose a pay award that falls short of what its own independent process concluded was justified," he said.
"This is not simply about a percentage increase. This is now the second consecutive year in which school leaders have been denied the full award recommended by the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body. The cumulative impact is significant, affecting earnings, pension benefits and the long-term attractiveness of school leadership itself."
"At the same time, school leaders continue to face excessive workloads, escalating pressures and increasingly unsustainable working conditions. Schools are being asked to deliver more with less, while leaders work ever longer hours to keep the system functioning. There comes a point when warm words and promises of future action are no longer enough. That point has now been reached."
The union has now formally withdrawn from talks with Welsh Government and is moving to a national statutory ballot of members across Wales for industrial action.
Union and TUC statements
NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: "Nobody wants to see school leaders forced into industrial action, but it is clear that leaders in Wales have reached a point where enough is enough. Welsh Government asked school leaders to engage in talks in good faith and NAHT Cymru did exactly that. It is therefore deeply disappointing that ministers have again chosen not to implement in full the recommendation of their own independent pay review body."
Laura Doel, General Secretary of TUC Cymru, said: "We welcome the additional funding for ALN, which will help schools support some of the most vulnerable learners in Wales. However, we are disappointed that the IWPRB recommendation has not been implemented. If the Welsh Government is serious about raising standards, it must invest in the workforce that delivers them. Teachers and school leaders deserve fair pay alongside the resources needed to support learners."
"It is misleading to suggest this decision is simply the result of budget pressures. Spending choices are ultimately political choices, and the decision not to fully fund pay awards has consequences for the education workforce. Teachers and leaders should not be forced to choose between the pay they deserve and the resources their pupils need. Schools need both."
