Strikes back on in Wales as teachers and ambulance staff reject pay offers

Teachers and ambulance staff are set to strike again in Wales, after union members rejected the latest pay offers put to them.

Union members in the Welsh Ambulance Service overwhelmingly rejected a new pay offer, according to Unite.

While teachers also knocked back a new offer from the Welsh government, with the National Education Union (NEU) saying that a revised pay deal was “simply not good enough”.

Teachers had been set to strike on Tuesday but action was postponed last week to consult union members.

The NEU said it postponed the strikes in “good faith” but they will will now go ahead on 2 March.

Unite said its members in the Welsh Ambulance Service had rejected a similar offer by 92% on a ballot turnout of 70%.

Teachers have ‘clear mandate’ for walkout

The government in Wales had offered teachers an increase of 1.5% to their salary and an additional lump-sum of 1.5%, on top of the original offer of a 5% pay rise.

Welsh education minister Jeremy Miles said last week that the “new pay offer is the maximum we [the Welsh government] can afford”.

The NEU argues that this “fails to address either the cost-of-living crisis, spiralling inflation, nor the damage done to pay since 2010”.

A meeting of the NEU’s representatives was held on Tuesday evening to discuss the deal.

NEU Joint General Secretary Kevin Courtney said: “We have a clear mandate for strike action that is now rescheduled for 2 March 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.”

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

New ambulance strike dates

Unite members in the Welsh Ambulance Service are also due to strike again now on new dates – on February 20, 21 and 22.

Unite has called for further talks to resolve the dispute.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Welsh government has a clear opportunity to stop the upcoming strikes.

“Instead of the political posturing it has engaged in, now is the time to get round the table and improve the offer.

“Unite members have spoken – the current offer is not acceptable. These workers are living hand to mouth. Act now before the strikes escalate further.”

Welsh government defends offer to teachers

A Welsh government spokesperson defended its approach to striking public sector workers.

On the dispute with teachers, they said: “Everyone recognises the excellent work of our workforce, but they also recognise the challenging financial constraints we are operating in.

“We believe an offer that is the equivalent of an 8% pay rise, with 6.5% consolidated, is a strong one in the context of a reducing Welsh Government budget.

“For teachers to be able to benefit from an additional backdated pay rise for 2022-23 an agreement will be needed by mid-March.

“We are keen to continue to have discussions with partners in order to make rapid progress.”

Read Entire Article