Chief Minister regrets “misuse” of words in Gov video

Tuesday 17 October 2023

The Chief Minister has said she regretted a “misuse” of words in a video posted on Government social media yesterday in which she mistakenly claimed the NASUWT had accepted the Government’s pay offer.

Union representative Marina Mauger said the video – which was later taken down – was “completely inaccurate and untrue”, as the union had actually negotiated for teachers to receive a 7.9% pay increase with back pay while continuing discussions.

Deputy Moore said: “Of course I absolutely accept responsibility for that and I absolutely understand that the NASUWT remain in dispute over the pay agreement.”

She acknowledged that the union had in fact accepted a backdated 7.9% award while continuing working to rule, while also continuing to negotiate a review of teachers’ terms and conditions and a multi-year pay deal.

Pictured: The Chief Minister said she regretted a “misuse” of words in a video posted on Government social media yesterday.

Referring to the controversial Facebook post shared by the Government last month, Ms Mauger said: "Once again the NASUWT find themselves in the embarrassing position of having to expose complete misinformation stated by the SEB."

She continued: "Such inaccurate public statements are damaging and misleading and will only serve to further affect relationships between unions and the employer.

"Questions need to be asked about who in the, very costly to the taxpayer, communications unit is responsible for these continual errors.

"Whilst these errors continue to be made, especially on the eve of schools closing through industrial action, it begs the question of how seriously the Government is committed to good relationships with the unions.

"The NASUWT would like to see a complete retraction and apology from the SEB who seem to be attempting to divide unions instead of respecting the fact we are all teachers and lecturers fighting for the same cause albeit in slightly different ways."

Pictured: The controversial social media shared last month on the Government's Facebook page.

Last month, the Government was accused of deliberately whipping up division on social media over the teacher strikes following a controversial Facebook post – which has also now been deleted.

Assistant Chief Minister and Constable of St John Andy Jehan, who leads pay negotiations, was criticised by Ms Mauger at the time.

She described his comments as "inflammatory", "ignorant", and "very insulting" to teachers.

A statement from Constable Jehan that the Government's position was "not unreasonable" was accompanied by a number of "teacher strike facts", including the average Jersey teacher salary and pension scheme details.

Pictured: Assistant Chief Minister Constable Andy Jehan is also Vice-Chair of the States Employment Board, the official employer of all public sector workers.

Later, whilst under scrutiny in the States Assembly, the Chief Minister said that she was "deeply disappointed" by the social media post and said that the information "shouldn't have be used on social media at the time or in the way it was".

Deputy Moore, who is also Chair of the States Employment Board, said: "I regret that the social media post was not specifically authorised or approved by a Minister when published on Facebook.

"The information had been used earlier that day and sent to media outlets and approved for those purposes alone, we therefore considered that the information was accurate but it shouldn't have be used on social media at the time or in the way it was."

She continued: "We all get things wrong, and when we do it's important to be clear, honest and open.

"I apologise for this particularly at a time when the SEB was involved in direct and constructive talks with the union and I accept that this resulted in an unnecessary escalation in tensions. Myself and the Vice Chair were deeply disappointed by social media post."