More “angry and disillusioned” teachers to strike

Tuesday 12 March 2019

“Angry and disillusioned” members of Jersey’s largest teaching union have announced they'll be joining their colleagues across education in striking against the government's latest pay offer.

NASUWT is the latest union to overwhelmingly reject the latest offer put forward by the States Employment Board (SEB) as negotiations to resolve the ongoing pay dispute continue to break down.

Their announcement this afternoon follows the National Education Union (NEU) setting a date to strike against the offer, which its members overwhelmingly rejected.

Having declined to increase imposed pay offers for 2018 and 2019 in line with rises in the cost of living as demanded by unions across the public sector, the government suggested a rise equivalent to inflation plus a further 1.3% on 1 January next year. But that has failed to appease those working across Education in Jersey.

In retaliation to what they describe as “an inadequate pay award”, the NASUWT this afternoon said they would be joining their NEU colleagues in rejecting the offer and striking on 26 March, and have accused the SEB of being “unreasonable” as the pay dispute impasse continues. 

Pictured: The NASUWT are joining their NEU colleagues in strike action later on this month.

Both the NEU and NASUWT had previously called their members to strike on 26 February but suspended the action in order to consult members on the revised pay offer made by the government at the eleventh hour.

But those strikes have now being rescheduled in light of this latest rejection.

Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary, said: “Our National Action Committee met today and considered the feedback from members on the latest pay offer. The depth of anger about the offer was evident. Despite our best efforts, the SEB has failed to engage meaningfully in the negotiations.

"Our members are angry & disillusioned that the SEB does not appear to value their contribution & the work they do for the children & young people of Jersey." @Chris_K_NASUWT https://t.co/JAewX5C6LM

— NASUWT (@NASUWT) March 12, 2019

Commenting on negotiations thus far, Ms Keates said: “Discussions too often are peppered with threats to withdraw offers on the table if certain, unreasonable, conditions are not met. Our members are angry and disillusioned that the SEB does not appear to value their contribution and the work they do for the children and young people of Jersey. 

The union’s General Secretary added: “The NASUWT is committed to securing a negotiated outcome with the SEB and avoid the disruption to pupils and parents, but they need to come back to the negotiating table genuinely willing to engage on the whole pay award, to have meaningful discussions and to make an improved offer.”