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Guernsey teachers have voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of strike action in a move described as “unprecedented” by union leaders.
While just over half of NASUWT members took part in the ballot, around three quarters of those (76%) voted in favour of strike action, while 87% voted for “action short of strike action”.
The ballot over industrial action followed the rejection of a pay offer which had included a 5% raise for 2022 plus £500 across all pay grades, an inflationary increase this year, and inflation minus 1% next year.
The NASUWT has today said it will now consider the scope of, and a timetable for, industrial action in Guernsey.
Strike action remains on the table in Jersey, meanwhile, after both education unions rejected a proposed 2023 pay deal of 7.9%.
Following the vote, NASUWT and the NEU asked the States Employment Board to return to the negotiating table, with a large majority of members indicating they would consider industrial action if an improved offer is not made.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said of today's news in Guernsey: "NASUWT members have overwhelmingly voted to take action. This is unprecedented on Guernsey."
He continued: "The NASUWT has been warning the States for many years that the morale of the teaching profession was collapsing under the weight of ever increasing workloads and diminishing pay, yet these warnings have repeatedly been ignored.
"This situation was completely avoidable, and the fact that members have voted for action is a damning indictment of the States' policies and practices.
"The States should be in no doubt of the resolve of NASUWT members, and need to lift their collective heads from the sand and sit down with us so that we can collectively look to solve the problems facing the profession in Guernsey.
"If such a commitment is not forthcoming from the States, then we will have no option but to move to industrial action."
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