MEMBERS of Jersey’s head teachers’ union have voted to accept a new pay offer from the government.
The revised offer from the States Employment Board, which includes backdating the previous 7.9% pay offer to 1 January and an additional ‘Education Reform Allowance’ worth approximately 2.5%, was recently put to NAHT members in an online ballot.
They will also receive a further one-off allowance worth the same amount next year, if work between the NAHT and the government to address the impact of changes to school leaders’ roles, workload and the Education Reform Programme, has not been completed by October 30 2024.
The offer also includes a government commitment to examine the possibility of a healthcare plan for school leaders, along with commitments to review terms and conditions and to explore other benefits.
Members voted in favour of the deal, with 93% choosing to accept it.
The NAHT will now write to the Government of Jersey to seek confirmation that a collective agreement is now in place.
Rob Kelsall, the union’s assistant general secretary, said: “I’m pleased that our members have accepted the revised offer which should bring to an end our long-running dispute with the Government of Jersey.
“It’s a tribute to school leaders in Jersey that we have secured an outcome that is the interests of the education system on the Island.
“As we look forward to 2024, I implore the States Employment Board to prioritise the education workforce and to avoid disputes of this kind arising in the future.”
Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: “This result is testament to the power of our members’ collective endeavour and determination to secure a fair offer.
“It must however be just the start of a journey to restore the education profession as an attractive proposition and to ensure all schools have the staff they need to deliver the education children on the Island deserve.”
Subject to government confirmation that the agreement is now in place, the union’s industrial dispute and action short of strike will come to an end.
