Guernsey teachers vote to strike over pay and workload

Dr Patrick Roach said the overwhelming vote to take action was "unprecedented in Guernsey"

Guernsey members of a teaching union have voted for industrial action over pay and workload.

The NASUWT said 76% of members voted in favour and 87% for action short of strike action on a turnout of 57%.

It said it would consider the scope and timetable for industrial action should an improved pay offer and proposals to address workload not be put forward by the States of Guernsey.

The lead politician called the latest States' offer "very fair".

'Uncompetitive' pay

The States previously said its deal offered a 5% uplift to salaries, plus a sum of £500 for 2022, and in 2023 offered an uplift equal to the rate of inflation, which was 7% as of last June.

For 2024 it offered an uplift equal to the rate of inflation minus 1%.

However, the union said the current pay offer represented a "further real-terms pay cut for teachers in Guernsey".

The union said: "Teachers' pay has fallen behind median earnings growth and pay awards given to other States employees and is increasingly uncompetitive compared with the UK, once the higher cost of living is taken into consideration.

"Teachers' pay is also considerably higher in Jersey."

'Escalating tensions'

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said the overwhelming vote to take action was "unprecedented in Guernsey".

He said: "The NASUWT has been warning the States for many years that the morale of the teaching profession was collapsing under the weight of ever increasing workloads and diminishing pay, yet these warnings have repeatedly been ignored."

Deputy Dave Mahoney, the lead on employer matters for the Policy and Resources Committee, accused the union of "escalating tensions" by moving to strike instead of pursing action through the Industrial Disputes Officer.

He said: "We're disappointed that the NASUWT continues to push for industrial action."

'Very fair award'

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.

"Furthermore there is no legal basis for taking strike action in Guernsey.

"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."

Deputy Mahoney added: "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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