IOM teachers begin strike action

Scores of pupils across the Island are being told to stay at home today and tomorrow as strikes get underway.

Today marks the first walkout by teaching union NASUWT amid an ongoing dispute over pay, workload and working practices.

As a result, years 7 to 11 at four local high schools - CRHS, Ramsey Grammar, Ballakermeen and QEII are being told to work from home.

Last week - four out of five unions accepted the most recent pay deal from the Department of Education, Sport and Culture - with the government claiming all teachers will get a pay rise of between 8 - 11.9 per cent in December.

However, the NASUWT - the largest teaching union on Island which represents 70% of teaching staff - claims its members have lost 30 per cent in the past 12 years, and is still going ahead with the strike action. 

It claims 'despite its best attempts to negotiate with the department, the lack of sufficient progress has left teachers with no choice other than to escalate industrial action.'

NASUWT General Secretary, Dr Patrick Roach has claimed some teachers are having to take second jobs, use food banks, seek help from charities and some regret moving to the Island all together.