Teachers reject gov's proposed 7.9% pay offer

Friday 17 February 2023

Strike action is potentially on the table after both of Jersey's main teaching unions have overwhelmingly rejected the Government’s proposed 2023 pay deal.

A consultation of NASUWT members showed that just 5% were willing to accept the existing 7.9% offer.

The unions are now asking 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.

The latest developments in teachers' negotiations come as just under 1,000 Government employees in the manual and technical sector have accepted a 7.9% deal – the same settlement as had previously been accepted by civil servants and police officers.

An indicative poll of members carried out by the NASUWT showed just 5% of respondents were willing to accept the SEB's offer, and 80% of respondents said they would consider some form of action if an improved deal was not forthcoming.

The NASUWT has around 800 members out of a total of 1,200 island teachers.

Pictured: Marina Mauger, local representative of the NASUWT teachers' union. (David Ferguson)

Marina Mauger, of the NASUWT, said she was surprised at the size of majorities that emerged from the consultation.

She said: "I thought it would be high, but not this high, and it shows the strength of feeling."

NEU president Mark Oliver said his members had also indicated an "overwhelming" rejection of the employer's offer, with a "significant majority" saying they were prepared to consider industrial action. However, he declined to give figures for how many respondents voted to reject the offer and consider industrial action.

The Government has indicated that it is awaiting official notification of the consultation from one of the main unions, and will then respond to both unions about the next steps.

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