Select a region
Members of two teaching unions have voted to strike in what one member has described as a "damning indictment" of Government "complacency" over diminishing pay.
NEU members are expected to walk out on 5 July, while NASUWT members have also voted in favour of strikes, with the union currently considering a "timetable for action" which is likely to be launched in the next academic year.
The Government had offered teachers a 7.9% pay increase in line with other pay groups – but members of both the NASUWT and NEU argued that this was not enough given that pay had not risen in step with cost-of-living for many years. They said that teachers had suffered an 8.8% real-terms pay cut since 2008.
The NASUWT have called on the SEB to agree the following pay awards for teachers:
Meanwhile, the NEU have requested a one-year pay deal for 2023 RPI + 5%.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said: "NASUWT members have overwhelmingly voted to take action. This is unprecedented in Jersey.
"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 repeatedly been ignored.
"This situation was completely avoidable, and the fact that members have voted for action is a damning indictment of the States' complacency and failure to recognise and act to address the escalating crisis within its teaching cohort.
"The States now must recognise the depth of anger amongst the profession and seize the limited window of opportunity still available to avoid industrial action.
"If the States does not put forward improved proposals on pay and workload we will have no option but to move to industrial action in the new academic year."
The NEU has confirmed an initial day of strike action has been called for all 33 States of Jersey schools on 5 July, with a demonstration of teachers, parents and supporters scheduled to take place outside the States Assembly that same day.
Maria Fawcett, NEU regional secretary said: “Industrial action is always a last resort, but unfortunately our hardworking and committed members have been left with no alternative. Teachers have sent a strong message to the Minister that another below inflation pay offer is not acceptable particularly when inflation is running at more than 12%.
“Teachers on the island have seen their pay decline in real terms over the last decade and as well as this impacting on their daily lives it has created a worsening recruitment and retention crisis which is impacting negatively on the classroom.
“We urge the Minister to improve the offer made to teachers, to halt the decline in real terms pay and address the recruitment and retention crisis in our classrooms."
Constable Andy Jehan, who is Chair of the States Employment Board (SEB), which is the official employer of all public sector workers, said the Government had "always maintained that our preference is to enter into dialogue and seek a negotiated position."
Pictured: Constable Andy Jehan said that demand for an above-inflation rise "is neither realistic nor affordable".
He continued: "We recognise public servants, including teachers, need to be fairly paid but the public wage bill must be affordable and sustainable.
"We have been clear that the demand for an above-inflation rise is neither realistic nor affordable.
"All other employees in schools have accepted 7.9 per cent and we maintain it is a fair offer for teachers and a good settlement for the taxpayer.
"We remain open to alternative options presented by the Unions within the affordability limits of public finances."
Teachers previously went on strike in 2019, with the bulk taking place in May when NEU members walked out for eight days over a pay offer that teachers claimed would result in a real-terms pay cut of 3.5%.
Numerous schools had to cut back on classes or close as a result.
Some parents of children at fee-paying schools refused to pay their entire termly fee as a result. Express revealed that, in January of this year, the island's Treasury was still pursuing non-payment claims against nine individuals, totalling £5,869.14.
The average pay of Jersey teachers in 2022 is £54,280.
The government wage bill for teachers and lecturers between 2021 and 2022 rose by 7.2% (from £51.3m to £55m) as a result of a 2.9% pay increase, additional teaching posts and additional pay increments.
Follow Express for updates...
Teachers to vote on strike action after Gov "unwillingness" to negotiate
"Deep" anger among teachers as Gov refuses to update pay offer
Teachers reject gov's proposed 7.9% pay offer
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.