WATCH: "Last resort" for striking teachers as hundreds join protests

Tuesday 12 September 2023

Hundreds of teachers and students have joined together to protest today, with one union representative claiming that "repeated failings" of the States Employment Board are "driving teachers out of a profession that they love".

Teachers and headteachers from two unions – the NEU and the NAHT – are taking strike action today, with members and supporters demonstrating outside the States Chamber during the first sitting of the new political year.

WATCH: The Chief Minister and the Vice-Chair of the States Employment Board were greeted with booing during teacher protests outside the States Chamber.

The unions are accusing the Government of reversing on a promise to make a backdated pay award of 7.9% for 2023 as an interim move while negotiations over rectifying what they describe as a real-terms pay cut over 15 years continue.

NASUWT, a third union, pulled out of the strikes on Monday after "encouraging" talks with Government – but they are still working to rule.

Pictured: Students also showed up at the protests in support of their teachers.

Sam Wharmby, Joint Branch and District Secretary for NEU Jersey, described the strikes and protests as a "last resort". 

During a speech to fellow protestors, she said: "I know none of us want to be here at all – this is our last resort.

"We are here because we value education. Regrettably, the States Employment Board do not value us and in doing so they are de-valuing education."

Pictured: ""I know none of us want to be here at all – this is our last resort."

Ms Wharmby stressed that the issue was "historic" and stretched across multiple iterations of the SEB.

"Repeated failings of the SEB are now driving teachers out of a profession that they love," she continued.

"Years of pay cuts, high workloads and the crippling cost of living have resulted in a recruitment and retention crisis.

"We do not have a stable and resilient education system, therefore the SEB are failing our children."

As protests heated up right outside, inside the States Chamber, the Chief Minister apologised for a controversial Government social media post which “resulted in unnecessary escalation in tensions” with teaching unions.

Deputy Moore also expressed her "regret" and "disappointment" in this morning's States Assembling sitting that schools are closed for the second time this year due to strike action – while teachers looked on from the gallery.

WATCH: Hundreds of teachers and supporters turned up to protest in the Royal Square during the strikes.

She added: "I am disappointed that schools are closed, children are missing out on education, and that family life is disrupted, which has an impact on productivity and our economy."

In response to questions on what action had been taken to prevent the strikes from Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, Deputy Moore said: "The SEB has authorised its officers to continue in discussions for resolution of the pay dispute with school leaders and Government.

"Throughout the dispute period, we have offered conciliation talks facilitated by JACS and we continue to offer arbitration with an independent third party."

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