Teachers latest: Can strike be avoided... or are we "out of goodwill"?

Friday 30 June 2023

As hundreds of school staff prepare to walk out on Wednesday over a pay dispute, the Government is being pressed to come back to the negotiating table... although teachers may have "run out of goodwill".

Assistant Education Minister Richard Vibert said that his department was doing "everything possible to avoid the interruption of learning for children and young people" – but stressed that responsibility for pay negotiations specifically lies with the States Employment Board (SEB).

"The impact of any industrial action concerns me"

Up to 400 members of the NEU are due to walk out on Wednesday, while members of the NASUWT and NAHT headteachers’ union are refusing to take on any additional duties after all three unions rejected a 7.9% pay increase.

A demonstration is also expected to take place in the Royal Square on Wednesday to coincide with next week’s States sitting, while the majority of schools will be closed.

Pictured: Assistant Education Minister Richard Vibert.

In a statement, Mr Vibert said: "As Assistant Minister for Children and Education, I am not involved in pay discussions – this is strictly the role of SEB. However, as part of the ministerial team with overall responsibility for education in the Island, the impact of any industrial action concerns me."

"...the main priority is for their safety at school"

He continued: "Schools and the Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills are committed to doing everything possible to avoid the interruption of learning for children and young people should the industrial action go ahead, but the main priority is for their safety at school.

"Schools have reviewed their contingency plans ahead of the proposed strike action by some teachers scheduled for 5 July 2023. Head teachers have informed parents and carers in their schools of their plans."

Speaking to Express, Mr Vibert added: "I would love to be able to avoid strike action and continue talking. We have to ensure that children’s education is not disrupted but the negotiations are very much a matter for the SEB."

"Lack of recognition"

Adrian Moss, the Joint District and Branch Secretary for the NEU, said teachers had "run out of goodwill".

"Teachers are paid for two thirds of the time that they work and give a third of their time for free. This has been reported in the Jersey teacher’s survey of hours actually worked to contractual hours. This lack of recognition of the actual time that teachers work has fuelled the anger over the below inflation pay rise that has been offered not only this year, but over many years since 2008," he continued.

"Teachers work late into the night and at weekends to ensure that their students have engaging lessons with a range of stimulating activities embedded within them. Provide dedicated feedback to aid the development of learners in their care and complete detailed reports on the individual needs and performances of their students. The landscape of education has changed vastly over the last two decades and none of this is recognised by the SEB or those who shape policy in people services."

Pictured: NEU Joint District and Branch Secretary Adrian Moss said that teachers had "run out of goodwill".

"Education pay and conditions still remain in the 20^th Century when HR policies and working practice conditions have radically changed in even the post-covid era. The recruitment and retention crisis where good, experienced teachers are leaving the profession and moving to other skilled roles with their post-graduate qualifications and high work ethic are not being suitably replaced," he added.

"Education will continue to be on a downward spiral in Jersey"

"Unless this is reversed then education will continue to be on a downward spiral in Jersey, to the detriment of the current and future economy and society. None of this has been recognised in the negotiations and this is why the goodwill that teachers give has been lost and why they feel there is no other option but to engage in industrial action.

"The crisis in education is really highlighted as the NEU, NASUWT and NAHT have all reached a point where their members have voted for strike action. This is unprecedented and clearly represents the failings that exist in the broken education system that operates for students and teachers in Jersey.”