Teachers set to strike in Jersey after 75% of voting NEU members reject latest pay offer

Members of the NEU voted against the States Employment Board's revised pay offer. Credit: ITV Channel

A three-day teachers' strike in Jersey will go ahead from Tuesday 12 December to Thursday 14 December next week.

It comes after 75% of NEU members who took part in the ballot voted down the States Employment Board's latest pay offer.

The rejected offer would have seen teachers' pay rise by 8% from 1 January 2024 and a one-off payment of £1,000 on the same date.

The revised deal also included pay rises in line with inflation for 2025 and 2026.

Commenting on the result, Caryn Symons, Senior Regional Officer at the NEU said: “The current offer simply does not address the real terms pay cut and the issues being experienced in Jersey by the escalating costs of living.

"It is disappointing that we remain in the position where our teachers are left with no alternative but to show their disapproval of the offer by withdrawing their labour next week.”

In response, Vice-Chair of the States Employment Board, Deputy Elaine Millar said: “We are extremely disappointed by the NEU’s decision to reject what we believe was a very good offer. An offer that no other public servant has received, or will be receiving.

“As a result, the three days of strike action by NEU members next week will severely impact pupils, parents and our community.”

Jersey's two main teaching unions, NEU and NASUWT have been in a long-running dispute with the government over pay and working conditions.

NASUWT has also put the government's revised pay deal to its members - the results of this ballot have yet to be announced.

The union has urged its members to accept this offer as they say it is the "best that is likely through negotiations".

However, it added: "This would represent a consolidated real-terms cut of 2.1% over three years", as they say the RPI figure for January 2024 is 10.1%.

The government's latest offer would require unions to give at least two weeks' notice before any future strike action.

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