The NASUWT is today giving notice of strike action following the failure of the Government of Jersey to keep its promise of a backdated pay award for of 7.9%.

NASUWT balloted its members earlier this year following the failure of the government to address the years of real terms pay erosion that teachers have suffered since 2008 or to address spiralling workloads.

The threat of industrial action led to the backdated pay award being promised and the NASUWT withdrew its plans for industrial action as a gesture of goodwill.

However that promise has now been broken.

Because of this members will take strike action on Tuesday September 12, Wednesday October 18 and Thursday October 19.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:

“This backdated pay award would have gone some way towards addressing the impact of the cost of living crisis and real-terms cuts that teachers have been subjected to.

“But the promises of backdated pay have been cynically withdrawn without explanation.

“Our members have been angered by the actions of the government and they are resolute in stepping up their industrial action.

“This strike action was completely avoidable had the Government upheld the agreement that was reached with the NASUWT. As such the Government is entirely responsible for the action that has been announced.  

“Industrial action will continue unless and until the States Employment Board delivers a better deal for teachers on pay and working conditions.”