Teaching union to 'escalate action short of strike' next week

Members of a teaching union will take 'escalated action short of strike' on Island next week.

The NASUWT says it comes as a 'result of the failure of the Manx Government to improve pay and tackle excessive workload'.

The move falls less than a week into the start of the academic year. 

As a result, as of Monday - its members say they will no longer undertake break duties, marking or cover staff absences - whether they be planned or unplanned.

The Union has warned it will further escalate the action to strikes later this term if no progress is made.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, 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.”