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A teaching union has accused the Chief Minister of "not listening" to its members' concerns and says industrial action is now "likely" after the Government failed to update its 7.9% pay offer.
National Education Union (NEU) members had already rejected the offer back in February, with a "significant majority" saying they were prepared to consider industrial action.
In a strongly-worded statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, the NEU said that there had "not been any movement in the headline figure of 7.9%" and that the offer was therefore being thrown out based on the previous "overwhelming" rejection.
"We do not feel that there has been any progress due to the lack of flexibility of the employer in entering into any form of compromise on this headline figure compared to what has been achieved in other jurisdictions, such as Scotland, which have settled on a 12.3% figure," the union said.
The NEU and the NASUWT met Chief Minister Kristina Moore and other members of the States Employment Board (SEB) - the panel of politicians which acts as the official employer for all public sector workers - on 30 March "in order for them to hear our concerns".
However, the statement added that "it is clear that, given the final formal offer was made on 31 March, they were not listening to the concerns we raised in this meeting."
The statement from the union went on to explain that the "true extent of the vacancies in schools is being masked" with senior leaders being forced to take on classroom roles, new recruits are being put in front of classes with limited training, and increased class sizes.
They added that "this is leading to exhaustion and burn-out and many experienced teachers are now turning their back on the profession".
The statement concluded that NEU members will be balloted next month which the union suggests is "likely to result in the rejection of the government’s pay award and a move to undertake industrial action".
Adrian Moss, Joint District and Branch secretary NEU Jersey, described a "deep feeling of anger and frustration amongst teachers".
Pictured: Placards left outside the States Chamber during the 2019 teachers' strikes.
He said: “We are open to further genuine negotiations on the headline figure. We have, however, little choice but to start balloting our members for industrial action.
"Teachers have seen a significant drop in their pay over the last 14 years compared to RPI and no changes to terms and conditions which would bring them to parity with other public sector groups.
"We are not even fighting for an above inflation pay increase, though this would recognise the value of our profession and enable us to attract the most skilled educators: what we are fighting for is to keep pay at a level which matches inflation."
Responding on Wednesday afternoon, SEB Vice-Chair Constable Andy Jehan said: "We are obviously very disappointed with the news from the National Education Union.
"We absolutely do recognise the vital role that teachers play in the success of the island and have been working hard on recruitment and retention with a very successful pilot included in recruitment.
"We have made a fair pay offer of 7.9% to all pay groups and this has been accepted by the majority of employees. The requested pay rise by the NEU is out of step with other pay negotiations, as we continue to face high levels of economic uncertainty which creates pressure on public finances.
"We will continue to meet with unions and engage positively with them in order to reach a successful resolution."
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.
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