Teachers in Wales have been offered a one-off payment in a bid to avert planned strikes in the coming weeks. A number of teaching unions met with education minister Jeremy Miles on Thursday where a one-off cash payment was discussed.
Headteachers, support staff and other school workers in Wales will strike across four days on February 1, February 14, March 15 and March 16 in an escalation in their dispute with Welsh Government over pay and conditions. Teaching unions have been campaigning for months for a pay increase close to inflation, which is currently over 10% and rejected the Welsh Government's offer of a 5% increase in November, calling it an "insult."
Unions say consistent underfunding of schools have led to a recruitment and retention issue and increased pressure on teachers and staff. The strikes, some of which are also taking place in England, are likely to cause widespread school closures and childcare issues for parents with local authorities and headteachers having the final decision on whether there are enough staff to keep schools open.
