10 October 2022

In a meeting held on Thursday, 6 October 2022, UCAC’s National Council decided to go ahead with arrangements to seek their members’ views in an industrial action ballot.   The ballot will be held in response to Welsh Government’s offer of a 5% pay increase for teachers as well as due to teachers’ increasing work load.  The union is calling for a pay increase in line with inflation rates and also wishes to ensure fair working conditions.  

Ioan Rhys Jones, UCAC’s General Secretary said – “We are disappointed that Welsh Government’s offer does not reflect inflation rates neither does it represent our teachers’ dedication and commitment.  Currently the profession is facing working conditions which are increasingly challenging alongside rising living costs.  We are facing notable challenges in terms of retaining teachers and recruiting new members to the profession.

The decision whether to take industrial action is not easy for our teachers who are genuinely concerned about their pupils’ wellbeing and success.  However, in order to ensure that our children and young people receive education of the best possible standard, it is crucial that teachers are fairly remunerated and have appropriate working conditions.”

22 July 2022 

UCAC regrets that this announcement has been made with the majority of schools in Wales already closed for the academic year. This creates additional uncertainty for leaders and teachers at a time of particular challenges in education.

UCAC will look at the detail of the announcement paying particular attention to the Welsh Government's promise that leaders and teachers in Wales will not be of lower value to the salaries and working conditions of equivalent jobs in England. We will also look at the implications of the pledges for September 2023.

Certainly, the wage increase that has been announced does not reflect the levels of inflation that are currently being experienced. That is a disappointment at a time when school staff have gone beyond the expectations of their jobs in order to ensure educational well-being along with the physical and mental health of school pupils.

09 June 2022 

UCAC will welcome members from all corners of Wales to Aberystwyth University tomorrow for it’s first annual face to face conference in three years tomorrow. Many will also join through TEAMS.

Dilwyn Roberts Young, UCAC General Secretary, said- “It will be a pleasure to be able to meet new and experienced delegates at Aberystwyth University tomorrow. We very much look forward to having the opportunity to discuss and set UCAC policy for the coming year.

We expect several lively discussions, with proposals calling on the Conference to consider changing the name of the Union; extend an invitation to teaching assistants and support workers to join the Union and asking Government to seriously consider their plans to reform the school year.

13 April 2022 

Statement by Nia Goode, National President of UCAC in response to MP Michael Fabricant's comments.

02 March 2022

The response from the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language to our correspondence on the pattern of the school day and year.