Just an hour before striking teachers were due to meet in the Royal Square this lunchtime for the latest rally to express their discontent at being offered pay rises that have lagged behind inflation, Senator John Le Fondré said positive progress was being made and a new deal would be on the table soon.
For three days this week 24 schools are due to be partially closed as NEU members take part in a series of strikes, while NASUWT members are refusing to cover classes for absent colleagues as part of their own programme of industrial action.
NEU president Brendan Carolan has said striking teachers would be asked to return to work and vote on a new pay deal if a revised package discussed during the negotiations last week is offered formally.
It is not yet clear if the latest announcement from the States will be enough for this week’s strikes to be called off. No details about the deal proposed during last week’s negotiations have been made public.
Head and deputy head teachers have meanwhile agreed a new three-year pay deal and leadership model.
