A DECISION by school leaders to accept a government pay offer has left colleagues furious because cash set aside to “improve the student experience” has been used to fund the settlement.
Members of the NASUWT have now threatened to step up their industrial action after details of the deal for head teachers were revealed, while the NEU said it would “reflect further” on how to resolve its ongoing dispute.
The head teachers’ union, NAHT, announced this week that its members had voted to accept a 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%.
However, the offer has enraged NASUWT negotiating secretary Marina Mauger, who has argued that the educational reform funding – which was originally intended to “better the experience of students” – should not be used to give head teachers a pay rise.
The union’s members could also receive a further one-off allowance worth the same amount next year, which the SEB has agreed to pay if work to address the impact of changes to school leaders’ roles, workload and the Education Reform Programme has not been completed by October 30 next year.
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 in 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.”
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.
Members voted in favour of the deal, with 93% choosing to accept it.
Subject to government confirmation that the agreement is in place, the NAHT’s industrial action will come to an end.
The two teachers’ unions – the NEU and the NASUWT – remain in dispute with the government over pay, although the latter union has accepted a backdated 7.9% award while continuing to work, and also continuing to negotiate a review of teachers’ terms and conditions and a multi-year deal.
Reacting to the NAHT’s announcement, NEU Jersey joint district and branch secretary Adrian Moss said further talks with the government and the NEU were scheduled for next month, although the SEB has previously said that the “door was effectively closed” to a resolution of the dispute this year.
The union previously called for a 15.4% rise, but now says it is willing to accept the 7.9% offered to other public-sector groups, as well as a one-off lump sum.
Mr Moss said: “It [the NAHT’s decision] has made us reflect further on how to resolve the dispute in the interest of our members and the wider public.”
He added: “We want to see a functioning and successful education service.”
However, NASUWT negotiating secretary Marina Mauger said that the union was “incensed” by the NAHT’s pay offer and was “accelerating” its action short of strike action as a result.
“I’m disgusted that education reform money, that was intended to better the experience of students, has been used to give heads a pay rise,” she added.
In a statement, Constable Andy Jehan, who is vice-chair of the SEB, said he was “pleased” that an agreement had been reached with school leaders.
“The NAHT have agreed a series of concessions in the negotiations around education reform which has allowed the programme to continue and key work to be completed by school leaders,” he added.
“We will monitor closely the delivery of the agreed areas to ensure that the education reform funds are directed to support the programme and additional work. This demonstrates that, if we maintain our talks, and not strike action, we can find common ground,” he continued.
“I now call on both teaching unions to focus on the current negotiations for terms and conditions and future pay, instead of continued disruption to children and young people on the Island. I encourage all the teaching unions to do the same for the pay talks for 2024 that have just started.”
