Wales strikes: Teachers made improved pay offer

Teachers and school heads have been made an improved pay offer by the Welsh government, following talks with education unions.

Ministers confirmed they had offered an extra 1.5% pay rise, plus 1.5% as a one-off payment.

It is similar to the offer made to health unions last week.

The National Education Union (NEU) is deciding whether to put the offer to members. It said progress was being made but the offer still fell short.

The NEU has strike action planned for 14 February.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) said it would ballot its members but would continue with industrial action short of a strike.

Meanwhile, the health minister said unions had agreed to put the NHS deal to workers, and both the GMB and the Royal College of Nurses (RCN) confirmed they would begin balloting.

Most health unions suspended industrial action following talks on Friday.

Teachers in the NEU and members of the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) had rejected this year's pay rise of 5%.

The Welsh government made the offer of a one-off payment at the start of negotiations - although no figures were made public at the time.

A Welsh government spokesman said the "revised package" include "significant non-pay commitments relating to workload in the short, medium and long term".

The NEU's union's executive members will decide on Wednesday evening if the offer is sufficient to put to the membership more widely.

David Evans, Wales secretary of NEU Cymru, said: "These were the fullest discussions we've had so far, so yes, progress is being made.

"It is still far short of our demands, but we will make decisions on that in the not too distant future."

NAHT Cymru director Laura Doel said: "We're pleased that Welsh government have come to the table with an improved pay offer.

"While it doesn't fully address the 22% erosion of school leader pay in Wales since 2010, it is a strong indication of the willingness on all sides to start to address the balance."

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru, which also represents headteachers, welcomed the improved offer.

"This is the product of extensive negotiations between the Welsh government and trade unions which have been conducted in a constructive manner by all concerned," director of ASCL Cymru Eithne Hughes said.

Wales' Health Minister Eluned Morgan confirmed talks with unions had finished and the improved offer would be put to their members.

It is hoped enough has been done to permanently call off strike action by nurses, midwives, physiotherapists and the GMB, who represent about a quarter of Welsh Ambulance staff.

The RCN said nurses would hold an online ballot between 10 and 27 February.

Helen Whyley, director of the RCN Wales, said: "Members' resolve throughout this campaign, and strike action in recent months, has undoubtedly led to this new pay offer from the Welsh government."

The GMB said it would give its ambulance staff members until 17 February to decide whether to accept or reject the latest offer, ahead of planned industrial action three days later.

Nathan Holman, GMB Welsh lead, said members would be sent the updated offer and an online ballot on Thursday.

Other unions may take longer to consult with members as they do not have the same deadline of a strike day.

Unite will hold further strike days on 20, 21 and 22 February.

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said he hoped the offer "can be a base for a settlement for this dispute".