Head teachers vote for industrial action over pay

Ballot reveals depth of feeling among primary school leaders

Primary school head teachers have made it clear they'd be prepared to strike, in order to resolve their pay dispute with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture.

The result of a ballot of National Association of Head Teachers members has revealed 85 per cent would do so, while 95 per cent said they'd be prepared to take industrial action of some sort, but wouldn't go as far as striking.

The turnout was just shy of 72 per cent, according to the union.

A statement issued by the NAHT says it will now work with its members to determine the next step, while also continuing to seek a settlement with the DESC.

Laxey and Dhoon head Max Kelly, who's president of the union's Isle of Man branch, says school leaders here are feeling 'downtrodden and undervalued'.

He goes on to say the government has taken them and their dedication to their jobs for granted for too long.

Mr Kelly concludes by saying the union is keen to avoid action, and the door remains open to further talks, but school leaders deserve a fair deal for the vital work they do.

NAHT General Secretary Paul Whiteman, meanwhile, says, "School teachers on the Isle of Man have been forced to accept ten years of below-inflation pay awards, amounting to real-terms pay cuts".

Mr Whiteman adds that the government has not awarded school leaders the full amount of a 3.5 per cent rise recommended by the School Teachers' Review Body last year.

He says this failure to implement fair pay settlements has had a huge and negative impact on recruitment and retention.

The union also last month accused Education, Sport and Culture Minister Graham Cregeen of bullying, prompting an investigation to be launched.