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Teachers' Pay Dispute Is Over

The long-running teachers' pay dispute, that led to several days of strikes in schools last year, is over.

NEU members have voted to accepted the government's latest offer.

The union says there was a 70% turnout in its ballot, with 96% agreeing to the deal.

The offer was 8% more this year, and 1% above inflation in both 2025 and 2026, plus a one-off £1500 in addition to the 7.9% rise in 2023.

One of the first actions of the new government under Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham was to make an improved pay offer to teachers.

NEU's senior regional officer Nick Childs says walkouts would be have been avoided if the previous administration had taken a similar 'constructive approach' at an earlier stage.

"We are pleased that this long running and entirely avoidable dispute has been resolved.

Teachers will be pleased that strike action has been called off. This was always a last resort, but members have been clear that previous offers were not acceptable and failed to address long term pay decline and a consequent crisis in recruitment and retention in Jersey."

He says the union will now work with the employer on teachers' terms and conditions.

Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham said:

“Settling the teacher’s pay dispute was a highcpriority for the new government and I hope this resolution reinforces our shared commitment to the success and prosperity of our valued educational community.

"I would like to express thanks to all parties involved for their willingness to engage in further constructive dialogue, which led us to this common ground.

"I very much hope we can now all look forward to a period of stability and opportunity for both teachers and pupils.”

The island's other main teaching union, the NASUWT, had already accepted the government's previous offer.  Its members will get the improved deal.

Head teachers in the NAHT, who had also been in dispute over pay, accepted an offer last October.

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