Teachers in the island have been threatened they may have their pay docked due to their industrial action.

Chief executive of DESC, Professor Ronald Barr, has written to union representatives accusing teachers of breaching their contracts.

In a move reminiscent of his Christmas holidays communication with head teachers, Professor Barr sent the letter to representatives of three unions on February 13, the day before schools broke up for half term.

The letter, shared with the Examiner, was sent to representatives of the National Association of Head Teachers, Association of School and College Leaders and NASUWT.

The three unions are in dispute with DESC over pay and conditions for teachers, who will undertake industrial action, short of striking, from Monday. February 24.

Professor Barr’s letter said that the department ’is advised that the current industrial action, short of a strike, is likely to constitute a breach of contract, due to only partial performance of the contract.

He added: ’The department would therefore be within its rights, and therefore reserves the right, to deduct a proportion of pay from those employees for any such breach of contract.

’However, no such deduction will be implemented at the moment as the department very much hopes the aforementioned talks will be reconvened soon and be constructive and positive, however, for the avoidance of doubt, it reserves the right to keep this under review.’

Professor Barr then added that he wished staff ’a relaxing half term break, constructive talks on February 24 and look forward to further discussions regarding teachers’ pay’.

However, Rob Kelsall, national secretary of the NAHT has hit back at Professor Barr and said: ’If DESC were to try and enforce their claim then it would be challenged both in the courts and industrially.’

Professor Barr also said in his letter that he hopes when the unions speak to their counterparts at the NEU, they will come together and result in all four unions joining DESC ’under the auspices of the Manx Industrial Relations Service’.

The letter comes days after the government apologised for the impact the industrial action will have on parents and students due to teachers no longer providing cover at lunchtime and after-school, which they are not paid for.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle has refused two requests by unions to personally get involved in the dispute while the teachers have passed a vote of no confidence in Minister Graham Cregeen and the wider department.

Other industrial action being taken includes non attendance at senior leaders’ meetings or engagement with the appraisal policy for staff.