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Strike action is set to affect the opening weeks of the new school term after pay promises made by Government were "cynically withdrawn" – and the only way to avoid it is if the Chief Minister meets teachers and tables an "acceptable" offer, unions say.
The NASUWT this morning gave notice of three days of strikes on September 12, October 18 and October 19.
This afternoon, the other major teaching union – the NEU – and headteachers union NAHT said that they would be joining in the protest action.
Teachers have been involved in a pay dispute over pay since late in 2022 when negotiations began over a pay settlement for this year.
Although many other public sector workers agreed a 7.9% pay increase, teachers and nurses have yet to settle, and in July the National Education union staged a one-day strike, while NASUWT members took part in a work to rule.
Video: The Chief Minister giving a speech to striking members of the NEU earlier in July.
The Government has been accused of reneging on a promise to make a backdated pay award of 7.9% for 2023 as an interim move while negotiations continued. This move had had initially prompted the NASUWT to withdraw plans for strike action announced in July.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: "This backdated pay award would have gone some way towards addressing the impact of the cost of living crisis and real-terms cuts that teachers have been subjected to.
"But the promises of backdated pay have been cynically withdrawn without explanation.
"Our members have been angered by the actions of the Government and they are resolute in stepping up their industrial action."
Dr Roach described the strike action as "completely avoidable", but said it would continue until the States Employment Board delivered a better deal for teachers on pay and working conditions.
The Jersey branch of the National Association of Headteachers' (NAHT) decision to strike was approved by the National Executive Council after members began action short of strike in early July.
98% of participating NHAT members backed that move in an industrial action ballot in June, with 86% backing strike. Turnout was 68%.
NAHT’s Assistant General Secretary Rob Kelsall said that the heads had "exhausted all other avenues in an attempt to resolve this long-running dispute", but that there had been "no tangible improvements" despite "hours" of mediation talks with the help of the Jersey Advisory and Conciliation Service.
He continued: “Our members have been pushed to the brink and we believe the only way this can now be resolved before schools are forced to close on 12 September will be if the Chief Minister agrees to meet with us and tables an offer that is acceptable to teachers and leaders which reflects their unstinting dedication, commitment, and professionalism. After year on year pay cuts, our members have been left with no other choice but to take action.
“No head teacher, teacher or parent wants to see schools close, however, unless this matter is resolved then the damage to the education system will be even greater.”
NAHT President Carl Howarth added: “Any form of industrial action is a last resort.
"We understand that any action we are taking may cause inconvenience and we apologise in advance for this. However, in the face of a government that is refusing to deal with the very real and legitimate concerns that we have, and following years of real terms pay cuts, we have no option and a civil responsibility to take action in order to protect the quality of education in our island."
Nick Childs, Senior Regional Officer for the NEU commented: “It is disappointing that the SEB has come to the table with such a derisory pay offer. If the Government are serious about resolving this dispute and addressing the crisis in teacher recruitment and retention, then they need to start valuing the islands’ teachers and leaders and start to genuinely negotiate.
"If they do not do so, further escalation of this dispute is inevitable.”
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