TEACHER strikes are to go ahead next week as “no progress” has been made in pay disputes between the government and unions.
However, ongoing talks on terms and conditions between the States Employment Board and the NASUWT – which is not striking next week – have been “excellent”, the union’s leader has said.
The industrial action, which is expected to affect all 33 government-funded schools, is due to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
The NEU have also announced further strike dates on 14, 15 and 16 November.
Its senior regional officer Nick Childs said that there had been “no progress” in the ongoing pay dispute with the SEB since a major protest was held in the Royal Square last month.
The rally saw members of both the NEU and head teachers’ union the NAHT confront Assistant Chief Minister Andy Jehan, the vice-chair of the SEB – after last-minute talks failed to avoid strike action.
Mr Childs yesterday said: “We had a pay meeting scheduled for Tuesday afternoon but that was cancelled and we are yet to hear anything further.
“We are not considering entering arbitration, especially after members in Guernsey had a below inflation pay award imposed earlier this year. That undermines the principles of bargaining that we’re committed to.”
Mr Childs further said that on Tuesday there would be a walk, attended by members and their families, from La Frégate to Les Quennevais.
It is unclear yet whether Jersey members of the NAHT – the National Association of Head Teachers – will also join the NEU in industrial action next Wednesday.
One of the main unions, the NASUWT, did not take part in the recent strike after reaching an agreement with the SEB in which its members would receive a backdated 7.9% award – while remaining “in dispute” and continuing with action short of a strike.
The union said that it had received “a firm commitment to negotiate a multi-year deal to address pay issues”.
Marina Mauger, the NASUWT’s representative, said she did not see a need either to enter arbitration or to take further industrial action.
She continued: “There has been progress on the review of teachers’ terms and conditions, which has been excellent. The government are taking a really proactive stance on this, primarily looking at workload and ways that can be reduced.
“We are in agreement with them and it’s moving on quite nicely.
“The government seem to be showing a firm commitment to reducing teachers’ workloads.”
The JEP understands that the SEB met with unions last week, and once again offered binding arbitration, which was declined.
Teachers have now received an uplift of 7.9% consolidated pay in August, and a backdated amount to 1 January 2023 in the September pay run.
