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A teaching union has said its members will no longer be striking tomorrow after "encouraging" talks with Government – but they will still be working to rule.
The NASUWT said its decision came after the Government confirmed teachers would receive a backdated pay award, as well as "a firm commitment to negotiate a multi-year deal to address pay issues".
The announcement marks the first sign of progress in the pay dispute since all three teaching unions confirmed their intentions to strike in the opening weeks of the new academic year, with walk-outs planned for 12 September and 18 and 19 October.
The unions also accused the Government of failing to follow through on a promise to make a backdated pay award of 7.9% for 2023.
Pictured: NASUWT representative Marina Mauger
However, NASUWT representative Marina Mauger explained that progress had been made during a meeting with the SEB at the end of last week.
She said: "We have withdrawn our strike action for Tuesday because we had very encouraging talks with the States Employment Board on Friday afternoon.
"They have accepted that we are still in dispute, accepted that we will continue our action short of strike action and agreed to pay teachers the back-pay for the earlier part of this year and carry on negotiating."
However, at the time of writing Express understands that both the NEU (National Education Union) and NAHT (National Association of Headteachers) are set to continue with plans for strike action tomorrow.
In a statement issued on Friday evening, NEU Jersey joint district and branch secretary Adrian Moss said all three teaching unions "remain in dispute with the Government and are involved in industrial action as we start a new academic year" following Friday’s meeting.
"As there was no new proposal of a consolidated pay increase, beyond that which was originally proposed by the SEB nine months ago, we remain in dispute and industrial action will continue in the form of strike action on Tuesday 12 September.
"This is most regrettable, as the SEB had the opportunity to really make a breakthrough, with a clear new offer, in order to resolve this dispute today [Friday].
"No talk of an enforced pay uplift or back pay at 7.9% will be enough for our members, who have already given up a day’s pay in July to bring the attention of the crisis in education to the Island."
Pictured: Further strikes are due to take place this academic term.
He continued: "We regret the disruption in education to students, and the effect that the action will have on parents and the wider society.
"We feel, however, that unless there is a positive move by the Government to address the issue of retention and recruitment of teachers, which has a direct impact on class sizes, workload and curriculum offer, then we will continue to see the devaluing of educators."
NAHT Jersey President Carl Howarth said: "At present we remain in a position to continue with our strike action, although we are ready to meet with the employer at any point to resolve this dispute."
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