Many teachers in Wales are currently being balloted for strike action after the Welsh Government offered them a 5% pay award. With inflation running in the double digits this would constitute a real-terms pay cut. Education minister Jeremy Miles blamed Westminster for the inability to give a higher pay rise. “As additional funding has not been made available by the UK Government we are not in a position to further address these issues over and above what has previously been considered,” he said.
Several unions are in the process of balloting members about possible industrial action. But when would a teachers strike actually take place if it went ahead? We have put together everything we know so far about when different unions could strike. Bear in mind that these comments were made before the announcement by the education minister.
Read more: Teacher strikes more likely after Welsh Government refuses to budge on 5% pay offer
NASUWT
The ballot of members ends on January 9 and no action is expected until late January or early February if it does happen. National treasurer at the union Neil Butler said: "The one fact is that the voting terminates on January 9. What happens next should we have a positive result will be with the National Action Committee. If I were to speculate I would say we would see strike action at the end of January to beginning of February.”
NEU Cymru
The NEU ballot ends on January 13 and the union has indicated that “appropriate notice” will be given of any strike. David Evans, Wales secretary for the National Education Union Cymru, said: "The ballot closes on January 13. After we have the result the executive will make a decision, and give appropriate notice, of any possible strike dates. We remain open to work with the Welsh Government and are willing to have discussions throughout the ballot period and beyond."
UCAC
Their ballot ends on January 12 and the union won't seek to commence strike action before January 30. General secretary at the union Ioan Rhys Jones said: "Our ballot will be finishing on January 12 and we will not seek to commence strike action before January 30. We are hoping that we will get the result by the start of the week commencing January 16."
NAHT
The ballot ends on January 13. Dates for potential strike action are yet to be decided but are likely to be from the week commencing January 30, the union said.
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