Teacher union members to begin action over pay and workload

Mon, 25 Apr 2022

Isle of Man members of NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union will begin a programme of action short of strike action from Wednesday in a dispute over pay, workload and working practices.

From this date members will no longer undertake a range of activities which do not directly relate to teaching and learning. These include attending meetings or responding to emails outside pupil session times, undertaking routine administrative tasks, providing cover for absent colleagues or submitting lesson plans.

Teachers will still continue to prepare for their timetabled lessons, teach and mark and assess pupils’ work.

Members were balloted for action earlier this month, with 94% in support of action short of strike action, based on a two-thirds turnout. 

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said:“Members have been reluctantly driven to take this action as a result of the failure of the Manx Government to deliver the fair pay and working conditions that teachers need and deserve.

“In the last 12 months alone, 88% of Manx teachers have reported an increase in their workload. But since 2010, teachers have witnessed the value of their pay fall by almost 30%, against rising inflation.

“We have given ministers more than ample time to work with us to address this situation.

“Teachers deserve a better deal on their pay, workload and working conditions.

“Ministers must recognise the depth of anger among the profession and commit to a programme of pay restoration and tangible action to tackle workload in order that we can resolve this dispute.”

 

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