Jersey head teachers vote to take industrial action

Members of the Jersey Association of Head Teachers (JAHT) say they have voted to take industrial action short of a strike.

The Jersey branch of the National Association of Head Teachers represents head and deputy head teachers.

Members voted to take action over a States pay deal and working conditions which they say are unfair.

Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst said he would stand by the offer and would not increase it.

Final offer

The JAHT said this was the first time in 20 years members had voted to take action short of a strike.

A spokesman said 82.6% of members voted in favour of the action, which would begin in September.

In a statement the spokesman said: "We are very hopeful that there will be further discussions in the next few months and action short of strike will not be necessary in September."

Teachers want a 4% increase. However, Senator Gorst said there was no more money available for an increased pay offer.

An offer for a 1% rise for 2013 and 2014, and an additional 1% lump sum payment, was "final", he said.

Teachers from the National Union of Teachers, NUT, and the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers, NASUWT, voted for strike action in June.