THE teachers’ pay dispute looks set to continue into the new year, despite one union voting to accept an offer from the government.
Just over half (53%) of NASUWT members – from a turnout of 62% – voted in favour of the offer from the States Employment Board of an 8% pay increase that would take effect from 1 January, a one-off payment of £1,000 on the same date and pay rises matching inflation for 2025 and 2026.
Teachers have already received a 7.9% pay rise for 2023, backdated to 1 January this year.
NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: “Teachers in Jersey are long overdue an increase in pay as part of their fight for fair and reasonable working conditions. There must be no delay from the SEB in implementing this award.
“NASUWT members have endured years of real-terms pay erosion, escalating living costs, and spiralling workloads. Despite these challenges, they have continued to deliver an extremely high standard of education to Jersey’s children and young people.”
He continued: “Pay is only one of our concerns for Jersey’s hard-working and dedicated teachers. They need a better deal and we will continue to press for action to tackle the intolerable levels of workload on our members. We are still awaiting commitments from the government to secure the resolution of these outstanding issues.”
Although the decision moves the year-long row between teachers and their employer closer to resolution – and the rise will apply to all teachers in Jersey – members of the other main teaching union, the NEU, have not accepted the government’s offer.
Social Security Minister Elaine Millar, who is also the vice-chair of the States Employment Board, said: “We are pleased to hear that NASUWT members have voted to accept the 2024-26 pay deal. We will recommence constructive meetings with the National Education Union when the school holidays are over.”
NEU senior regional officer Caryn Symons said that the NASUWT’s ballot result “doesn’t change our position”.
She added: “The majority of teachers remain in dispute.
“We will discuss with our members and the executive committee in the new year about what the next steps will be. We always remain open to meetings with the SEB to discuss an improved offer.”
