Teaching union to ballot for industrial action

A teaching union says it intends to ballot its members over possible industrial action from next month.

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) has written a letter to government to state their intentions which are due to an ongoing 18-month dispute over pay, pensions and workloads.

NASUWT is expected to ballot its 478 members - who work at UCM and schools across the Island - from Tuesday, July 21, about 'discontinuous' strike action during August this year to February 2021.

It would also involve continuous action short of a strike within the same dates.

Ongoing negotiations over the issue were halted on March 17 after all four local teaching unions rejected the latest government pay offer - further talks were then suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Education, Sport & Culture Minister, Dr Alex Allinson MHK, says: "I am disappointed that NASUWT have decided to propose strike action. 

"I would again like to thank all our teachers and school staff for their ingenuity and flexibility over the last three months and the amazing effort they have put into reopening our schools for all pupils.

"Re-starting talks had already been discussed with the Manx Industrial Relations Service and I hope better communication and dialogue can help find a fair settlement for our teachers and lecturers who provide such an excellent education for our children and young people."