By Press Release
Disruption in Island schools looks set to continue, as the National Education Union (NEU) has recommended members reject an offer by the government to settle the ongoing pay dispute.
There have been seven days of regional and national teacher strikes during February and March, supporting demands for above-inflation increases, not funded from existing school budgets.
The government’s latest offer is a £1,000 one-off cash payment this year, a 4.3 per cent pay rise for most teachers next year and a commitment to reduce workload by five hours a week. Most teachers received a pay rise of 5 per cent in September 2022, which the NEU described as a pay cut due to inflation.
Peter Shreeve, the NEU’s assistant district secretary, said: “One member summed up what most appear to feel when they said ‘I was expecting it to be dreadful. Turns out I was being massively optimistic’.
“It only takes a cursory glance to realise this offer is not going to reverse the recruitment and retention crisis. The frustration, disappointment and anger of Island members is tangible.
“Messages on the Island’s social media group said they were frantically trying to vote. Many saying ‘Have just texted 1 for Reject’, until someone shared ‘System struggling with the stampede to Reject!’
“The offer is well below inflation, and not even close to being fully funded, which means cuts in some schools.”
A Department for Education spokesman said it was a “fair and reasonable offer, backed with funding for schools”.
The ballot closes on Sunday (April 2) with the result announced on Monday at the NEU conference.