Today NAHT Cymru has confirmed that it will not go ahead with a
planned ballot of members on a new offer from the Welsh
Government due to a lack of detail and transparency.
Last week the Welsh Government announced an improved pay offer,
an agreement to reopen pay negotiations for 2023/24 and a
commitment on workload in an effort to resolve the ongoing
industrial dispute with education unions.
While those discussions on workload have been positive, a lack of
details on
proposals, timescales and implementation, coupled with continued
concerns over funding have stalled progress.
At a meeting of the union’s membership, it was announced that the
union’s executive officers would not be moving forward with a
planned ballot at this time and industrial action would continue.
NAHT general secretary, Paul Whiteman, said: “It was encouraging
to see the Welsh government come forward with an offer to resolve
the dispute, however, it’s crucial that members have all the
details necessary to make an informed decision on whether these
proposals go far enough.
“While it’s certainly important the government begins to
seriously tackle the 22% drop in school leader pay in Wales since
2010, the recruitment and retention crisis in schools is also
being fuelled by crippling workload pressures which are affecting
the ability of leaders and staff to offer children the education
they deserve.
“It’s therefore disappointing that the Welsh government has so
far been unable to back up its warm words on workload with
details of tangible reforms to reduce bureaucracy.”
NAHT Cymru director, Laura Doel, added: “Reducing workload and
tackling the issue of school funding is going to be crucial in
resolving this dispute. While we continue to work through
our workload concerns with the government, there must be
commitment for change, not just discussion.”
On the issue of school funding, Ms Doel continued to raise
concerns about the transparency of school funding, citing the
£117m handed to local authorities in its entirety from
Westminster, via the Welsh government.
“The Welsh government asked unions to join them in their call for
additional funding for Wales. We delivered on our promise
to do so and used our influence at Westminster to lobby for more
money. Money came through, that money was given in its
entirety to the local authorities with a clear direction that it
was for education. But when school leaders across Wales continue
to talk staffing cuts due to lack of funding, you have to
question where that money has gone?”
In the meantime, NAHT will be continuing its action short of
strike following its recent ballot on
industrial action. The action is continuous until further
notice.
This means that union members who are employed as headteachers,
deputy headteachers, assistant headteachers and middle
leaders will:
- Restrict availability to receive or respond to calls and
emails before 9am or after 3pm
- Abstain from attending meetings after 5pm
- Refuse to facilitate unsolicited school visits or take part
in non-statutory consultations, surveys, projects, meetings,
government, local authority or Consortia webinars or data
requests
- Abstain from involvement in any staff appraisal or redundancy
process
- Abstain from facilitating or arranging cover for those taking
part in any industrial action
- Refuse to provide information regarding staff participation
in industrial action
- Refuse to engage with Estyn, which inspects education and
training providers in Wales, beyond statutory requirements
