Teachers vote for strike action over pay dispute

Teachers' unions said members had suffered nearly a 9% real-terms pay cut since 2008

Members of two teaching unions in Jersey have voted to go on strike in a pay dispute.

The National Education Union (NEU) and NASUWT both confirmed their members had voted in favour of the industrial action.

It comes after they rejected a government offer of a 7.9% rise - the same as for other public sector workers.

The government said that unions were asking for a pay rise of 5% above the rate of inflation.

The unions have demanded more than the offered rise, saying members had had years of real-terms' pay cuts.

The NEU said its members were planning to walk out on 5 July.

The NASUWT said it was considering a timetable for action.

However, it added that teachers had "suffered an 8.8% real-terms pay cut since 2008".

The government said it could not afford the demanded rise as would put its finances in deficit.