More strikes are planned for March as teachers and ambulance workers in Wales have rejected pay offers and the Unite union said their members had overwhelmingly said no to the offer, including the National Education Union (NEU).
The NEU said that they had acted in “good faith” as they “postponed” strike action on 14 February and that there has been failings to “address” the “cost of living crisis.”
NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said, “In good faith the union postponed the day of action scheduled for February 14, whilst we conveyed full details of the offer and sought feedback from members in Wales.
“They have emphatically informed us that the offer of an additional 1.5% added to teachers’ pay, plus an additional 1.5% lump sum is simply not good enough and fails to address either the cost-of-living crisis, spiralling inflation, nor the damage done to pay since 2010.
“We have a clear mandate for strike action that is now rescheduled for March 2 in schools across Wales.
“We have thanked the minister for being prepared to negotiate with us, in stark contrast to the Westminster Government.”
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.”
Unite’s lead NHS officer Richard Munn said, “The Welsh government has promoted the importance of social partnership – the relationship between the unions, employers and government. This social partnership is now being put to the test and talks are needed to try to resolve the dispute.”
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