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Government officials have put forward a "final" pay offer to teachers, which they say they're hopeful will bring the months-long dispute to an end.
Released this morning, the new offer from the States Employment Board (SEB) - the board responsible for setting public sector workers' pay - represents a consolidated increase worth 9.4%, plus 2.1% of non-consolidated cash payments over three years, based on an assumed RPI of 3.1%.
The deal is as follows:
The SEB said the proposals had been agreed with the two teaching unions, NASUWT and NEU, following months of negotiations.
The agreement was reached "in principle" on Thursday evening, with the NEU promising to hold out on further strike action, following eight days of teachers walking out last month, in return for the new deal.
Pictured: Senator Le Fondré assured savings in the Education Department would not affect teaching standards.
Senator John Le Fondré, the Chair of the SEB and Chief Minister, said: “I am pleased that we have reached the point where a final agreement is within reach, after a series of difficult negotiations over many months.
“This is a pay framework for teachers which should satisfy all parties. It provides the teachers with the additional 0.8% increase to consolidated pay that their unions sought, but funded through identified reforms and sustainable efficiencies, thereby keeping the overall cost of the pay offer within the limits agreed by SEB."
Senator Le Fondré assured that the "reforms and efficiencies " will be based on "removing and redirecting unnecessary expenditure," and will not involve cuts that would affect education standards. "They are supported by the Government’s commitment to drive through wider efficiencies – and these will benefit education and teaching by making key areas of non-staffing activity more cost effective," he explained.
Pictured: The Education Minister, Senator Tracey Vallois, said she was looking forward to her department and the SEB working with the unions.
The Education Minister, Senator Tracey Vallois, added: “I’m pleased that the SEB and the two teaching unions have considered the interests of our children, as well as recognising the value of teachers, in finalising this proposed pay agreement.
"I look forward to my department and the SEB working with the unions and professional associations on further developing the education service to improve outcomes for our children and young people.”
Reacting to today's new offer, NEU Regional Secretary Ian Stevenson commented: "This new pay offer received today, represents an improvement on previous offers from the employer. NEU members will now discuss this offer at a meeting which will take place this evening.
"If the members accept this offer then the NEU dispute with the employer will be over and education on Jersey will resume its normal life. However nothing is agreed until is all agreed. That means that the decision on whether the employers pay offer will settle this dispute, will be decided by NEU members."
Pictured: NEU members at a rally last month.
The offer is due to be discussed with NEU union members in a meeting at 19:00 at the Freedom Church in St. Helier.
This new offer comes following eight days of strikes last month by NEU members, which resulted in widespread school closures, over the government’s failure to hand teachers a pay rise in line with rises in the cost of living locally.
NASUWT – the island’s other teaching union – took action short of striking, which included refusing to cover lessons. They are yet to speak out on this new deal.
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