DAYS of lost education caused by teacher strikes could have been avoided if the previous government had taken a “constructive approach” to pay talks, a union has said after the long-running dispute finally came to an end.
The National Education Union and new Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham yesterday confirmed that the at times acrimonious dispute was over after teachers overwhelmingly voted to accept an improved offer.
The deal comprises an 8% rise and a £1,500 one-off payment for this year and guarantees of a rise 1% above inflation for both 2025 and 2026.
The ballot by the NEU over the past week, which resulted in a 96% “yes” vote on a turnout of 70%, follows the acceptance of a lesser offer by the other main teaching union, the NASUWT, just before Christmas.
However, all teachers, including those on supply contracts, will receive the new deal, with the first payments set to be included in their February pay.
Nick Childs, the NEU’s senior regional officer, said: “We are pleased that this long-running and entirely avoidable dispute has been resolved.
“We welcome the constructive approach from the new government and only regret that such an approach was not taken at an earlier stage by the previous administration, when strike action could and should have been avoided.
“Strike action was always a last resort, but members have been clear that previous offers were not acceptable and failed to address long-term pay decline and a consequent crisis in recruitment and retention in Jersey.”
Talks over pay first began in autumn 2022 and continued for the remainder of the academic year, with both unions staging industrial action during the summer term: a one-day strike by NEU members in July, when ministers were heckled and booed during a rally in the Royal Square, and work-to-rule action by the NASUWT.
The dispute continued into the autumn term last year, which saw a further six days of strikes by NEU members, a first-ever strike by head teachers and continued working to rule by the NASUWT.
Deputy Farnham, who is chair of the States Employment Board, told the JEP he was reluctant to criticise the previous government’s inability to settle the dispute, but that he hoped the resolution reinforced the “shared commitment” between employer and employees to the success and prosperity of education in Jersey.
“I would like to express thanks to all parties involved for their willingness to engage in further constructive dialogue, which led us to this common ground,” he added.
“I very much hope we can now all look forward to a period of stability and opportunity for both teachers and pupils, free from the sort of disruption we saw during 2023.”
In increasing the one-off payment to teachers from £1,000 to £1,500, Deputy Farnham said the government was investing an extra £450,000 to cover around 900 teachers. The additional 1% rises above inflation for 2025 and 2026 would cost around £700,000, he added.
“This above-inflation award will help remedy where teachers’ pay had fallen behind in recent years,” he said.
Marina Mauger, of the NASUWT, said: “We are delighted that a compromise has been reached with government and that parents and children can be reassured that schools will be open and functioning as usual.
“This deal doesn’t address the shortfalls suffered by teachers dating back to 2008, but the ‘inflation-plus-1%’ rises at least show the government is moving towards recognising the value of teachers.”
Mrs Mauger said unions were continuing to focus on talks with government over updated terms and conditions for teachers. These negotiations were proceeding fast and looking “very promising”, she added.
