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The dispute over teachers' pay remains unresolved and is "likely" to result in multiple strike days, according to one of the island's biggest unions – amid calls from business leaders and Ministers for arbitration.
Senior Regional Officer for the NEU, Nick Childs, said that there had been "no progress" in the ongoing pay dispute with the States Employment Board since a major protest was held in the Royal Square last month.
The rally saw members of both the NEU and head teachers' union the NAHT confront Assistant Chief Minister Andy Jehan, the Vice-chair of the SEB – after last-minute talks failed to avoid strike action.
Mr Childs said that there had been "no new offer and no progress in discussions" since the protest and that members had met "to discuss escalation, which is likely to include multiple strike days".
NAHT Jersey president and JCG head teacher Carl Howarth also said the dispute remained "unresolved".
"We are considering our options to escalate industrial action," he added.
Pictured: NAHT Jersey president Carl Howarth said the pay dispute remained "unresolved".
One of the main unions, the NASUWT, did not take part in the recent strike after reaching an agreement with the SEB in which its members would receive a back-dated 7.9% award – while remaining "in dispute" and continuing with action short of a strike.
It also said it received "a firm commitment to negotiate a multi-year deal to address pay issues".
Mr Jehan said: "I would really like them [the unions] to come to arbitration, where an independent third party can look at both sides."
Pictured: SEB vice-chair Andy Jehan has called for the unions to consider arbitration.
Asked whether there was money available to meet teachers' demands, Treasury Minister Ian Gorst responded: "There's no money in Treasury. Islanders pay money and Ministers and the Assembly decide how to spend that money. So all of this, 'Oh, there's lots more money for me to do my thing'... Well, 49 different people could say, 'Well, there's more money for me to do my thing'."
He said he thought 7.9% was already a "fair offer", adding: "It was a fair offer to all States’ employees. It’s fair to teachers, it's fair to other employees, because they've largely accepted it."
He continued: "I think it’s actually reasonable for taxpayers as well – they are the ones who are providing the funding.
"So, I agree with States Employment Board that the next step should be to go to arbitration.
"All sorts of things have been said about arbitration but my experience is that arbitration is fair. They look at the numbers, and they come to a reasoned conclusion.
"One of the reasons employers generally don’t like to go to arbitration is you think you might have to give some more, but the States Employment Board is being totally fair and transparent," he continued:
Treasury Minister Ian Gorst has said he thinks 7.9% "is a fair offer to teachers".
Deputy Gorst continued: "If there's a problem, let's go there. Now, there is also there another question about what do we want for our education system for the future?
"It seems that we’re fixating on the pay award and I said what I said about that, but actually, there's probably more work to be done to think about our education system more broadly and wider.
"That's why we put £11m into the inclusion work last year and more this year, as well. But as far as I’m concerned, and as a Minister of this Government, we stand ready to have those wider conversations about what we want our education system to look like in the future."
Jersey's Chamber of Commerce has also called for an end to the dispute, which it has warned is having a "detrimental impact" on local businesses and the wider economy.
Chamber President Adam Budworth said: “With negotiations between teachers and the Government at a stalemate, the call for independent arbitration may well be a crucial avenue for reaching a resolution.
"An impartial third party could play a pivotal role in mediating the contentious issues and delivering outcome that everyone can move on from. I am surprised that all parties involved are not already asking for this.”
Pictured: A protest was held by members of the NAHT and NEU unions in the Royal Square last month.
Mr Budworth continued: “With the uncertainty of the strikes, parents are having to book holiday from work for the strike days, so for the clarity of the island, both sides must find a better way. If that means arbitration to agree a solution to move forwards and remove the threat of further imminent strikes, this must be in everyone’s interest. The uncertainty disrupts what is already a fragile economy and we need certainty to build confidence."
The NEU has said that "no talk of an enforced pay uplift or back pay at 7.9% will be enough for our members" and has previously called for a rise of 15.4%, while the NAHT has said it views any offer under 10.4% as a "pay cut".
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