Teachers Vote To Strike

Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:46

Teachers are the latest the vote to strike in the ongoing row with the States over pay.

97% of National Education Union members balloted have agreed to walkout.

Turnout was 59.2%.

Action is set to take place before the Easter holidays and will affect a couple of schools each week.

NEU Regional Secretary Andy Woolley says the island's government should be ashamed of itself.

"It's having a detrimental impact on filling vacancies in Jersey, it's causing some good teachers to leave the profession, and it's causing lower morale - as it would anybody if there income drops in real terms. That's not good for children of householders in Jersey."

"We know that, despite various protestations by spokespersons for the States, the money can be found to avoid public sector strikes if the will is there to do so. We will happily return to the negotiating table if the employer also does so with meaningful proposals but preparation for industrial action in co-ordination with other unions representing public sector workers will now begin."

Headteachers have previously voted to strike too, and another teaching union's ballot result is due next week.

The NEU says details of the industrial action will be worked out with the other unions.