Major pay and conditions improvements for teachers agreed

29 July 2010

Following detailed negotiations between the States Employment Board and representatives from the NUT and NASUWT teachers’ unions, agreement has been secured on a package of measures for teachers in Jersey. As a result, the threat of industrial action has been averted.

The agreement between the States Employment Board, the NUT and the NASUWT has been made possible through constructive dialogue and a shared commitment to working to improve the working conditions of teachers.

The agreement includes:

• a contractual entitlement for all teachers to 10% of teaching time protected for planning, preparation and assessment, effective from 1 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 1 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 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010 and a further 2% for the period 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011; and

• a joint review to be conducted by the employer and teacher trade unions on teachers’ terms and conditions of employment.

Mario Lundy, Director of Education, Sport and Culture for the States of Jersey, 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.”

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the NUT, said:

“All parties at the negotiating table have had to work hard to settle this dispute. Through constructive endeavour we have agreed a package of measures that values the professionalism of teachers and supports their continued commitment to delivering the highest standards of education for children and young people in Jersey.”

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.”

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