Teachers' strikes: Wales action postponed after pay offer

NEU Joint General Secretary Kevin Courtney said the offer is still "significantly below" members' demands but he welcomed the Welsh government's "willingness to engage in talks"

A teachers' strike planned in Wales for next Tuesday has been called off after a new Welsh government pay offer.

The National Education Union said it would consult members and postpone its planned strike on 14 February.

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 said it was also making a number of commitments to help reduce teachers' workloads in the short, medium and long-term.

The National Association of Headteachers also said it would ballot members on the deal while it continues to take action short of a strike.

NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said the offer was still "significantly below" members' demands but he welcomed the Welsh government's "willingness to engage in talks".

He said the union would consult with branches and workplace representatives to get the views of members.

Action planned for Tuesday will be postponed until 2 March.

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Education and Welsh Language Minister Jeremy Miles said: "We welcome that NEU and NAHT have agreed to take the new pay offer to their members and representatives.  

"Discussions over recent weeks have been productive, where we have made good progress on issues such as reducing staff workload and supporting wellbeing."

Jeremy Miles thanked those who participated in "constructive negotiations"

Two further strikes are planned for 15 and 16 March.

Hundreds of schools closed or were partially closed due to the first walkout on 1 February, keeping thousands of pupils at home.

David Evans stressed the importance of workload for members

Secretary of NEU Wales David Evans said workload remained "a huge issue" for members.

"There has also been an agreement to review the Independent Wales Pay Review Board's recommendations on pay for the 2023/24 academic year," he added.

"We look forward to providing detailed evidence of the effects of spiralling inflation and cost-of-living crisis to the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB)."