The Association of School and College Leaders is to ballot members on industrial action for the first time, joining forces with the NAHT heads’ union and teachers’ union NASUWT in the Isle of Man.

The three trade unions have been in dispute with the Isle of Man’s Department of Education since the start of the year. 

Last year, the School Teachers’ Review Body recommended a pay rise of 3.5 per cent for all teachers and leaders, but the Isle of Man’s government has refused to award the full amount to all staff, according to the three organisations.

Staff on the Isle of Man have had 10 years of below-inflation pay awards, which amount to real-term cuts, according to the trade unions.

They say the situation has reached a point where they need to act collectively and hold a formal industrial action ballot of all their members simultaneously.

Unions ballot on industrial action

ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton said the move was unprecedented. “ASCL has never balloted for industrial action prior to this dispute anywhere in the UK, which is a sign of just how serious the dispute has become,” he added.

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“We have moved heaven and earth to try to reach an amicable solution but the Isle of Man government has simply failed to respond in the way that we would have hoped. It is vital to get this pay award right in order to ensure that the island is able to recruit and retain the teachers and leaders it needs.

“The Isle of Man government could have settled this matter for very little cost but instead it has prevaricated to the point that our members feel utterly let down.”

ASCL, NASUWT and NAHT have each written to the chief executive of the Department of Education today to inform him of the ballot.

NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “School leaders on the Isle of Man are feeling downtrodden and undervalued. They are dedicated professionals, absolutely committed to providing the best education possible for all children.

“For too long the government has taken that, and them, for granted. NAHT has been negotiating with employers since the start of the year, but to no avail. We are 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.”

The Department of Education of the Isle of Man has been contacted for comment.