Chief Minister Howard Quayle has told the government’s human resources chief Jon Callister to attend any future talks in the teachers’ dispute.

But Mr Quayle continues to refuse to intervene directly in the row, despite repeated requests from unions and politicians as relations between most of the unions and Department of Education, Sport and Culture bosses continue to deteriorate.

Mr Quayle saidyy: ’I very much hope that negotiations can recommence as soon as possible and that the dispute can be quickly resolved.

’To that end I have asked for the executive director of OHR (Office of Human Resources) and a senior officer from Treasury to join officers from DESC in these negotiations.’

Three unions, the NAHT, NASUWT and ASCL, are in dispute with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture over pay and conditions.

They are currently taking industrial action short of a strike - including putting a stop on voluntary activities such as running clubs in lunchtimes and after school - and, following a meeting on Monday, the NAHT has voted to escalate that.

A fourth union, the NEU, is not in dispute, although its membership rejected an offer from the education department.

In the House of Keys on Tuesday, Mr Quayle was asked what his strategy was for dealing with the impact of industrial action. He said it was the Department of Education’s responsibility but he had asked for regular updates.

’I have continued to strongly encou rage both sides to engage in constructive dialogue as soon as possible, through the Manx industrial relations process, to resolve this dispute,’ he said.

’In my most recent meetings I have also asked the department to provide contingency planning to mitigate where possible any actions which could be taken.’

He added: ’Work is also in progress to lessen any disruption to swimming classes and to deal with any issues arising around a lack of lunchtime cover for children.

’I am also grateful to schools who have agreed to undertake voluntary lunchtime cover while the dispute is being resolved.’

Several MHKs criticised the department’s handling of the dispute, with the most recent cause for complaint being a letter that chief executive Ronald Barr sent out just before the half-term break, threatening teachers taking industrial action with the possibility that they could have their pay docked - albeit saying that was not the intention yet.

possibility

But Mr Quayle said it was a legal requirement to give no h a possibility.

Julie Edge (Onchan) said the various communications from the department had only served to antagonise teachers further.

Bill Shimmins (Middle) added: ’The strategy previously employed by the Department of Education has been described as "divide and conquer". Ultimately, unfortunately, that has been unsuccessful as matters have progressively escalated.’

He asked Mr Quayle to give a pledge that the department would meet with all unions together, while Ms Edge repeated the call for Mr Quayle to get involved in talks, due to the ’complete breakdown of trust and confidence in the department and the minister (Graham Cregeen)’.

On talks with all unions, Mr Quayle gave a qualified response.

’It really is, I suppose, in the hands of the unions,’ he said. ’They have different views on this, and I am sure the Department of Education, Sport and Culture will be delighted to meet with all four unions who have the same stance on where they want to go.’

And on the call to intervene himself, he said: ’I really feel it is not the duty of the Chief Minister at this moment in time to personally sit down and have negotiations with unions when there is a department there with political members and officers.’

The headteachers’ union is planning to strike one day next month. See this week’s Manx Independent for details.

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