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Teaching unions have been urged to follow due process in their ongoing pay dispute with the States after they earlier warned they're going to ballot members on industrial action.
In response to the latest threat of strikes, Deputy Dave Mahoney, the Policy & Resources Committee lead for employer matters said:
“I’m really disappointed the NASUWT seems determined to push for strike action, as there is a set process under Guernsey law for resolving pay disputes which is through the Industrial Disputes Officer and that is where this dispute is currently.
"I’d really urge them to reconsider, and to give that process a chance. Employees in all areas of the organisation, and the unions that represent them, have accepted this offer already."
Deputy Mahoney said he is worried teachers aren't being given fair advice by the unions with other industrial groups also rejecting their pay offers.
"Only in the case of nurses and other health workers, and teachers, has it so far been rejected. We’re concerned the teaching unions are not accurately reflecting the offer to their members," he said.
Pictured: Deputy Mahoney set out the teachers' pay offer as above.
The NASUWT - The Teachers' Union announced this morning that it intends to hold a ballot among its members on industrial action and that it is "entirely the fault of the States".
This ballot warning was further to a statement issued by the NASUWT in January, in response to questions from Express, where the Union warned that the ongoing pay dispute between teaching staff and the States could lead to industrial action if the Industrial Dispute Officer couldn't resolve the matter.
Today, the NASUWT reaffirmed its position and said the offer represents a "further real-terms pay cut for teachers in Guernsey", and that it follows "years of pay erosion stretching back to 2008".
The union has said that teachers’ pay has fallen behind median earnings growth and pay awards given to other States employees and behind that of teachers in the UK and Jersey.
It's said that these factors are "fuelling increasing difficulties in recruiting and retaining teachers in Guernsey schools" with the ballot for industrial action over working conditions as well as pay.
The NASUWT General Secretary, Dr Patrick Roach said the States could prevent any strikes by negotiating with them.
Pictured: The Industrial Disputes Officer was asked to intervene in the dispute between teachers and the States.
“Since Spring 2022 the NASUWT has been urging the States to return to the negotiating table to discuss pay, however the States have been completely intransigent, and despite the NASUWT using every avenue available, have refused to enter into further discussions with us," he said.
“Industrial action is always a last resort and teachers have been incredibly patient, giving the States nearly a year to return to the negotiating table. However, their patience has now been exhausted.
“This unprecedented step is deeply regrettable, but is entirely the fault of the States.
“The education service in Guernsey is in a recruitment and retention crisis, fuelled by low pay and spiralling workloads
“An award that recognises the historic erosion in pay is required, along with tangible action to tackle ever-increasing workload demands. Without this, Guernsey will only find it ever more difficult to recruit and retain the teachers our children and young people need.”
In response to the latest ballot warning from the NASUWT, Deputy Mahoney reiterated that the offer won't be improved.
"Overall this is an above inflation pay offer and as the employer, we have been clear and transparent about that, from the outset," he said.
"Our Committee fully appreciates the incredibly hard work our teachers have put in over the past few years, and we’re very grateful for how they stepped up in difficult circumstances during the height of the pandemic, and the day-to-day work that they do for our community. But we believe this is a very fair offer which recognises that contribution and balances it against the pressure on public finances.”
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