A teaching union has reached an agreement in principle to end a pay dispute with education bosses.

As part of the deal with the National Education Union (NEU), which represents more than 60% of teachers in the island, new teachers will see a big increase in starting salary, which rises to £30,000.

But one of the other teaching unions involved in the long-running dispute described the tactic as ’a cheap attempt to divide and rule’ - while another said the move was ’seriously misguided’.

The deal was struck after representatives from the Department of Education, Sport and Culture and the NEU held ’engaging and positive talks’ with the Manx Industrial Relations Service on Wednesday.

It will see all Isle of Man teachers move to the London Fringe Area pay range, retaining the link to the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD).â??

This would be implemented on September 1 this year.

Under the agreement the two lowest teaching pay scales will also be removed, meaning new teachers will move from a starting salary of £24,373 to approximately £30,000.

Jess Egelnick and Tina Gleghorn, joint branch and district secretaries of the NEU, described the agreement as an ’historic achievement’ for teachers in the island.

They said: ’We appreciate the willingness of the department to engage in meaningful and productive discussions, and we thank our members for their support and patience during this process.’

Education Minister Graham Cregeen MHK said: ’The negotiations were very positive and the department welcomes their open approach.

’We very much hope that this agreement will help support our valued existing teachers; and that starting teachers two points higher on the pay scale will help attract more teachers to the Isle of Man. ’

The NEU will now consult with their members on the proposed deal.

Teaching unions have been balloting members over industrial action including a possible strike in a dispute over pay.

That ballot ends today.

Union leaders say teachers’ pay has eroded by about one third over the last decade.

School leaders are also in dispute over last year’s pay award which saw them receive just 1.5%, while other grades got the full 3.5%.

General secretary of the NAHT, Paul Whiteman, said in a statement: ’We are surprised that the Minister believes a deal can be struck with one union outside of the established negotiating machinery.

’This tends to suggest that there are amateurs playing with the future of children’s lives. An agreement that ensures the whole profession receives a proper settlement is needed.

’I have no doubt that the members of the NAHT and our sister unions the NASUWT and ASCL will see this for what it is, a cheap attempt to divide and rule.

’Our ballot results calling for action will be clear and unambiguous.’

Ms Chris Keates, acting general secretary of the NASUWT, said: ’Whatever agreement has been reached with the NEU, the DESC should be in no doubt that the NASUWT remains in national dispute and the ballot of our members continues and is unaffected by this announcement.

’The NASUWT is looking for an agreement which meaningfully addresses the severe real-terms cuts to pay that Isle of Man teachers have experienced since 2010. The reported ’deal’ falls far short of our members and the NASUWT’s expectations.

’The NASUWT has been clear from the outset that a multi-year strategy to address the erosion of pay will be required and one-off awards are only likely merely to scratch the surface of what is needed

’The DESC is seriously misguided if they think the ill-advised strategy they have adopted to seek to deal with one union only will resolve the dispute.’