School leaders in Wales have sent a strong message that they are willing to consider some form of industrial action over pay. Teachers in Wales have been offered a below inflation rise of 5% for 2022-23 following years of what unions describe as pay erosion.
The Association of School and College Leaders Cymru said a survey of its members affected by the 2022-23 pay award showed more than half back running an indicative ballot on action short of strike and nearly half support an indicative ballot on strike action.
It is understood that ASCL members have never taken any form of industrial action, apart from in early 2020, before the pandemic hit. when members on the Isle of Man took action short of strike in a row over pay there. “Our members never normally contemplate industrial action. So it shows the current strength of feeling," said Eithne Hughes, director of the Association of School and College Leaders.
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ASCL Cymru said in a statement: "We asked members what steps we should take over the fact that the proposed pay award is well below the rate of inflation and a further erosion of the real value of pay since 2010. This included questions on industrial action. There were 132 responses from senior leaders in Welsh schools."
Asked whether ASCL Cymu should run an indicative ballot for action short of strike action, such as withdrawing from certain tasks 64% voted yes and 36% no. Asked whether an indicative ballot on strike action should be run 46% voted yes and 54% no.
The Welsh Government is proposing a pay award of 5% for teachers and leaders in 2022/23 which ASCL described as "a significant real-terms cut compared to Retail Prices Index inflation currently running at 12.3%" and "a further decline in the real value of pay which has already fallen by a fifth since 2010".
Education Minister Jeremy Miles confirmed in late July that he had accepted the recommendations on teachers’ pay from the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB) for 2022-23. It mirrors a 5% award to teachers in England announced in early July.
An ASCL spokesperson said that pay was a major cause of a recruitment and retention crisis which is causing widespread teacher shortages in Wales.
Ms Hughes said the responses to the latest survey were unprecedented: “Our members never normally contemplate industrial action. So it shows the current strength of feeling that a majority have indicated that they are in favour of holding an indicative ballot on industrial action short of strike action, and nearly half back running an indicative ballot on strike action.
“There is frustration about the fact that the pay of school leaders has fallen in real-terms over the course of many years. There is also anger and concern about the impact of pay erosion on the teaching profession in general and the damage this causes to the recruitment and retention of staff, as well as over the intense financial pressures under which schools have to operate because of the inadequacy of government funding. School leaders are extremely worried about the situation and they have had enough.
“This survey is one part of us consulting with members about what steps we take next. The legislative requirements for action to be lawful are complex. At least 50% of eligible members would need to vote in a ballot, which is a much higher number than those who took part in the survey. So, we’ll be talking with as many members as possible over the next few weeks before making any decisions. But what we would say to the Welsh government now is that it urgently needs to address teacher pay and school funding because every other educational aspiration and target relies on schools being able to put teachers in front of classes.”
As well as saying 5% is not enough, there is also widespread concern among school leaders in Wales about how they will afford the cost of paying the award to their staff. ASCL Cymru said school budgets are under extreme pressure and there is uncertainty about how the award will be funded.
"The Welsh government has increased core funding to local government in Wales for 2022/23 and it is essential that schools receive sufficient funding from this award."
ASCL has 900 members in Wales but not all are directly affected by the latest pay proposals so itwas sent to the 619 senior leaders in state-funded schools. The response rate was 21%.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: " The agreed annual process for teacher pay is ongoing and we hope all sides will continue to actively engage as it develops."
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