Teachers in Jersey will not take industrial action over their pay and working conditions.
After months of negotiations, the Unions have reached an agreement with the States Employment Board.
The deal was signed off on Tuesday. It'll see teachers being allowed to allocate 10% of their time for planning, preparation and assessment, they won't have to supervise pupils at lunchtime and a policy will be developed on maximum class numbers. It'll also see them receive a 2% pay rise.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: "Whilst negotiations have been protracted and at times tense, we are pleased that a settlement has been reached that will provide our Jersey members with conditions of service more in line with their UK counterparts and recognise their commitment to provide a first class education service."
Jersey's Director of Education Mario Lundy said: "It was desirable for a settlement to be agreed before the beginning of the new school year and I am pleased that we have been able to achieve that. Whilst bringing benefits to teachers, I am also confident that this agreement will modernise their conditions of service in a way that will have a positive impact on pupils in the classroom."
The agreement includes:
A contractual entitlement for all teachers to 10% of teaching time protected for planning, preparation and assessment, effective from 1st January 2011;
The removal of any expectation that teachers should routinely undertake a range of agreed administrative and clerical tasks;
The removal of the duty on teachers to undertake lunchtime supervision of pupils, with effect from 1st January 2012;
Revising the policy on maternity leave to protect the contractual entitlements of mothers when they return to work;
A joint review to be conducted by the employer and teacher trade unions to develop a policy on maximum classes;
A 2% pay increase for the period 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2010 and a further 2% for the period 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2011; and
A joint review to be conducted by the employer and teacher trade unions on teachers terms and conditions of employment.
We'll have more on this story in
Channel Report tonight at 6pm.
Posted By: Tobias St Helier on 01-Aug-2010
So by holding the island to ransom, they got the pay rise they wanted
Meanwhile, the rest of us will plod on through the recession without a pay rise.
Perhaps the whole island should go on strike, then we'd all get a raise.
Posted By: RS on 29-Jul-2010
Some people have got no idea about what teachers do! I regularly work from 0800 to 2200 and am still working now during our 'holidays'. I work through most lunches and come in to run extra revision classes to help my students, 0900-1500, I wish! What would really help our work is when parents are told about their child's behaviour actually back us up, because all I do is plot how I can lie about a child during my 'free' time.
Posted By: J G - Grouville on 29-Jul-2010
Such a good example to show our children. Stamp your feet, make a lot of noise and refuse to work - then they get their own way. Lead by example? I don't think so.
Posted By: I suport we are mugs on 29-Jul-2010
What a bunch of pre-madonna's. I think teachers are well beyond there station. Who else gets 0900hrs- 1500hrs and 17 weeks annual leave a year. Oh yes then there is preparation as if no-one else has to prepare for the next days meeting, patients, training etc. The next best terms and condition of service is Father Christmas!! Teachers get a life, you do a great job but lets be real what makes you different from fellow public workers or are you better than Fire, Police , doctors and nurses. Beware the 'Southern' influence might drag you out of being recognised as professionals.....................and your being used as there political pawns
Posted By: neil on 28-Jul-2010
we are suppose to be grateful!!!
maybe they can use the lunch hours learning to spell and checking the homework they send with the children, because both are awful. Every letter that we receive from a school has spelling and grammatical errors.
What chance have the kids got????
Posted By: Taxpayer on 28-Jul-2010
So they are doing less work for more money. Meanwhile over in the real world everyone is doing more work for less money - and now paying even higher taxes to fund this spineless decision.
Posted By: The Fish, St H on 28-Jul-2010
I understood that they supervised only one lunchtime session per week, hardly onerous, I know many people who regularly work through their lunchtimes! So, one group threatens industrial action and Government concedes ground - I bet all those public sector groups that have already settled will learn from something this for next time!
Posted By: Rico, St Helier on 28-Jul-2010
Well done to Mario Lundy for sorting this out.
Excellent work once again!
Posted By: Helena on 28-Jul-2010
...so the States give into bullying tactics again. Gone are the days when schools employed vocational teachers who actually cared about the children. If teachers refuse to do lunchtime duty, they should lose a % of their pay - this would pay for the necessary cover. They all want the long holidays, free parking and presents at the end of term, but they don't want any of the responsibility that comes with these "perks". A very sad day.
Posted By: Kay on 28-Jul-2010
Some of us are just happy/lucky to still have our jobs in this current climate. For 2 years now we have not had a pay rise, despite everything going up all the time therefore we are always out of pocket and always the threat of job losses, especially if you speak out.
Posted By: steve st.saviour on 28-Jul-2010
jon, they will probably be able to do the administrative and clerical tasks during the 6 WEEKS they get for summer holiday or the 2-3 weeks they get for christmas or the 2-3 WEEKS for easter.
Posted By: jon on 28-Jul-2010
About time too! Teachers finally get a lunch hour! Interesting to see who will do all the administrative and clerical tasks though. School secretaries will not want to see their work load increase.
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28/07/2010
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