BRIDGEND County Borough Council is advising parents, carers and pupils that further industrial action
is now expected to take place at local schools following the rejection of a pay offer from Welsh
Government.
The National Education Union has confirmed that the industrial action they had originally planned to
hold on 14 February will now go ahead on Thursday 2 March instead.
Schools will contact parents and carers directly with details about what arrangements will be put in
place, and whether they anticipate being able to stay open or if they will be subject to a full or partial
closure.
If schools decide to close in advance, pupils who are eligible for free school meals will receive a
packed lunch the day before the proposed strike. If a headteacher decides to close a school prior to
lunchtime on the day of the strike, eligible pupils will receive a packed lunch to take home.
The latest pay offer from Welsh Government featured an extra 1.5 per cent on top of this year’s 5
per cent pay award, an additional 1.5 per cent one-off payment and commitments for reducing
teacher workloads.
Councillor Jon-Paul Blundell, Cabinet Member for Education, added: “Following the announcement
that the National Education Union has rejected the pay offer from Welsh Government, Bridgend
County Borough Council will continue to work alongside schools.
“Together, we will keep parents and pupils fully informed about what arrangements will be put in
place while the industrial action is underway, and to ensure that local communities are aware of
what support is available.”
