Gov Disappointed at Union Action

The Department of Education says it is ‘deeply disappointed’ that a teaching union has escalated its members’ actions, while remaining short of striking.

The NASUWT announced last week that it was balloting members to go further and take strike action.

In the meantime, the escalated action will mean that from yesterday members will no longer undertake break duties or any marking, setting and assessment of cover work arising from any planned or unplanned staff absence. They will also not implement any new working practices which have not been workload impact assessed and agreed with the NASUWT.

In a statement, a DESC spokesman appeared to criticise the timing of the latest move saying the department was ‘deeply disappointed that the NASUWT has chosen to escalate its action at this time’.

They added: ‘Especially with a meeting scheduled for this week and so soon after our young people have returned to their important education. The department will continue to make every effort to keep schools open and safe for all concerned. There will be no further comment until the after the State funeral on Monday September 19.’

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, has previously said: ‘We have had no choice but to escalate our action due to the failure of the Manx Government to engage with us and take seriously the concerns of our members.

‘Teachers had the biggest single annual real-terms cut to their pay imposed on them for 2021/22 and have not even yet been offered a pay award for the current academic year. Teachers are being expected to work harder for less money as the cost of living soars.

‘Our members are simply not prepared to put up with being taken for granted any longer. Unless the Manx Government agrees to work with us to provide teachers with a better deal on their pay and working conditions we will have no choice but to move to strike action later this term.’