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The States has said just 88 teachers have supported calls for strike action in Guernsey - which would be a minority of all those employed in teaching positions across the Bailiwick.
More than 600 teachers work across education settings in Guernsey - including in Alderney and Herm.
The NASUWT - The Teachers’ Union - recently balloted its members over their pay and workload. 57% of its members took part in the ballot with 76% of those members voting in favour of strike action and 87% voting in favour of 'action short of strike action'.
Pictured: Teachers may take industrial action in their ongoing pay and conditions row with the States.
Deputy Dave Mahoney (pictured inset top), the lead on employer matters for the Policy & Resources Committee said that means a minority of balloted union members are in favour of striking.
“We’re disappointed that the NASUWT continues to push for industrial action," he said.
"They have advised us that only 116 members took part in the ballot, meaning just 88 people supported strike action. There are more than 600 teachers working across education in Guernsey."
Deputy Mahoney has also sought to remind teachers that striking is actually illegal in Guernsey and that the Industrial Disputes Officer is tasked with resolving disputes such as this.
The IDO has already been instructed in the row between the States and teachers but no resolution has yet been found.
"Our law for this kind of dispute sets out a clear pathway to reaching a resolution without the need for industrial action, and the disruption and uncertainty that comes with it. That pathway is through the Industrial Disputes Officer, which is where the matter currently sits. Instead of escalating tensions, I’d strongly encourage the union to work with that process, and to have confidence in the IDO and the process," said Deputy Mahoney.
Pictured: Deputy Mahoney said the States fiscal position hasn't changed, with the recent Tax Review debate means matters are "unresolved".
The three year pay offer for teachers - which remains open to them - is:
2022 A 5% uplift to salaries, plus a sum of £500 which will be consolidated into pay scales and will therefore be permanent and pensionable, backdated to 1 January 2022 (the applicable RPIX figure was 2.3%);
2023 An uplift equal to RPIX as at 30 June 2022, which was 7%;
2024 An uplift equal to RPIX as at 30 June 2023, minus 1%. (In the event that RPIX falls below 1%, the employer will not seek to implement a pay cut and the award that year will be zero).
Deputy Mahoney has reiterated that he believes this pay offer is a generous one, and that teachers should accept it.
"I’d stress again that the pay award is an above inflation increase across three years, and this has been acknowledged by the NASUWT. Given the pressures on public finances, which remain unresolved following the recent States debate, this is a very fair award which recognises the incredibly important role our teachers play in our community.”
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