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Teacher recruitment 'working groups' to be set up after union talks

Teacher recruitment 'working groups' to be set up after union talks

Friday 07 July 2023

Teacher recruitment 'working groups' to be set up after union talks

Friday 07 July 2023


Working groups to look at what unions describe as a "crisis" in recruitment and retention of teachers are to be set up, following talks between representatives and the States Employment Board.

The latest talks, which involved NEU, NASUWT and NAHT representatives, followed an NEU strike and other industrial action which closed most island schools on Wednesday, but did not focus on teachers' long-running pay dispute.

Marina Mauger, of the NASUWT, said talks regarding the long-running pay dispute were due to take place prior to the end of the summer term later this month.

The NASUWT and the National Association of Head Teachers have started an indefinite work-to-rule as a result of the pay dispute, while the National Education Union staged a one-day strike on Wednesday.

The Government has offered teachers the same 7.9% pay increase accepted by other public servants, but unions say teachers have received a series of below-inflation pay deals, and requested 5%, plus the rate of inflation at the time of making their claim, which was then 10.4%.

All three unions have indicated they may strike again after schools return in September if the Government’s pay offer is not improved, but ministers have said that no further money is available and that a higher settlement would fuel inflation.

The headteachers' union – the NAHT – is meeting negotiators from the SEB on Monday at the Jersey Advisory and Conciliation Service. The Government has also extended an offer of independent arbitration to the unions.

Following yesterday's talks, SEB Vice-Chair Andy Jehan commented: “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.”

Constable Jehan and Chief Minister Kristina Moore went to meet the teachers striking in the Royal Square on Wednesday, but were met with a hostile reception.

Video: Ministers were met with loud boos as they left the States Chamber.

Constable Jehan was criticised over figures he had given in the States Assembly during question time on Tuesday by Adrian Moss, a teacher who is joint secretary of the NEU’s Jersey branch and has previously described teacher recruitment and retention as being in "crisis".

Headteachers had been "absolutely shocked", Mr Moss said, by the "shambolic claims" over the numbers of vacancies and recruits. 

Constable Jehan said at the time that he was seeking to check the figures he had been provided by officials and confirmed that he had asked all three unions to provide their own data in time for yesterday's talks, which examined the differing views.

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