Select a region
Members of one of the island’s teaching unions have accepted a backdated pay award of 7.9% from Government – but will be continuing action to protest “spiralling workloads”.
NASUWT said its members had also received a commitment from the Government to enter into negotiations on a multi-year pay deal from 2024 onwards.
However, teachers will still be ‘working to rule’ by refusing to carry out additional duties until there is “measurable downward pressure on the workload pressures being faced by the profession”, the union’s General Secretary, Dr Patrick Roach, said.
NASUWT had until now joined the National Education Union (NEU) in rejecting the Government’s 7.9% pay offer and was calling to address describe as real-terms cut in pay during the last 15 years.
The NEU held a one-day strike on 5 July and staged a protest in the Royal Square to coincide with the States sitting.
Video: The Chief Minister giving a speech to striking members of the NEU earlier in July.
Earlier this week, NASUWT wrote to its members to confirm three days of strikes which would have closed schools across the island, but these were suspended after the union received what it described as a “positive” email from the States Employment Board on Thursday ahead of an agreement being reached the following day.
Dr Roach said the backdated pay award of 7.9% – which is in line with what other pay groups have received – would go “some way towards addressing the impact of the cost of living crisis and real-terms cuts that teachers have been subjected to.”
He added: “NASUWT members have shown their resolve and determination to get a better deal for teachers.
"We look forward to working with the States Employment Board to secure firm commitments on workload. In the meantime, our members will continue with a programme of action short of strike action in the autumn until we see measurable downward pressure on the workload pressures being faced by the profession."
Results of a 2021 survey released last April showed that teachers were working on average eight weeks a year for free, and that three in five had considered leaving their jobs.
That staff survey found that teachers were working on average an extra eight weeks per year for free, and that fewer than half of staff felt well paid for what they do.
Good news in the ongoing teacher pay row?
Autumn of school strikes? Union fires warning at Gov after "nothing" talks
Teacher recruitment 'working groups' to be set up after union talks
WATCH: Chief Minister met with booing as teachers protest heats up
POEM: "It may seem we’re out for the money"
Assistant Minister denies teacher recruitment "crisis" ahead of protests
Teachers latest: Can strike be avoided... or are we "out of goodwill"?
Pay row escalates as Jersey headteachers say “enough is enough”
LIST: Which schools are affected by strike action?
Disruption expected as Jersey teachers cut back on cover in pay row
Teachers to vote on strike action after Gov "unwillingness" to negotiate
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.