Commenting on the First Minister’s announcement of a 5.5% pay deal for teachers and the publication of the IWPRB report, Nicola Fitzpatrick, Interim Wales Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“A 5.5% pay award is a necessary first step in the reversal of the real terms pay cuts inflicted upon teachers and school leaders during recent years.
We welcome the fact that the First Minister views a fair pay deal for public services as a priority. The additional ring-fenced funding from Welsh Government to fund this pay award will be welcome news to school leaders who are juggling overstretched budgets resulting from years of funding cuts, however we do require some further clarification from the Welsh Government regarding the funding of the pay award.
“We also welcome the fact that Welsh Government want to talk to the profession about a range of issues, ALNCo’s pay, terms and conditions and teacher workload.
An important issue they need to consider is how teacher pay is determined. The so-called independent Welsh pay review body is a failed process that has resulted in pay cuts over decades, contributing to a deepening recruitment and retention crisis. It was only the efforts of NEU members strike action in 2023, and who again voted in an indicative ballot this year – that changed the pay review body's thinking on teacher pay.
“NEU Cymru members will appreciate the Government’s acknowledgment that workload is another key issue hindering the recruitment and retention of teachers. The work of the strategic workload Co-ordination groups must now be expediated, teachers in Wales see concrete changes on the ground and a genuine reduction in their workload.
“The NEU Cymru Executive will meet this week to formally consider the offer and will make a recommendation that members will vote upon in September.”