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The Government has been criticised by a teaching union for “coming to the table with nothing” during talks aimed at resolving a long-running pay dispute – and there are now warnings of an "autumn of school strikes".
Officials from three teaching unions met employer representatives on Thursday, 24 hours after a one-day strike by the National Education Union which contributed to the closure of 30 of Jersey’s 33 state schools.
Although the discussions were described as “informative and constructive” by Constable Andy Jehan, Vice-Chair of the SEB, an NEU official was critical of the employer.
Senior Regional Officer Nick Childs said: “It is disappointing that the SEB has come to the table with nothing to offer on pay.
“If the Government are serious about resolving this dispute and addressing the crisis in teacher recruitment and retention, then they need to start valuing the Island's teachers and start to genuinely negotiate.”
Video: Sam Wharmby, Joint Branch and District Secretary for NEU Jersey, launching the protest.
Mr Childs said that if the government was not prepared to make an improved pay offer, there was a prospect of further strikes during the autumn term.
In a Government statement, Constable Jehan said: “The SEB met with the trade unions for teachers and school leaders yesterday, in a scheduled meeting – it was an informative and constructive discussion.
“To allow discussions to continue in that vein we will not be providing further comment at this time.”
Teachers have requested a pay rise of 15.4%, which they say reflects the current rate of inflation (10.4%) and what they say has been a series of real-terms pay cuts over the past 15 years. The SEB has stuck to a 7.9% offer, the same figure accepted by other public servants, saying that no further money is available.
In addition to this week's strike by NEU members, action short of a strike is currently being taken by members of the NASUWT and NAHT.
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