A teaching union has written to the Isle of Man Government over plans to ballot its members for strike action later this month.

The government received the letter from the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) on Friday.

In their letter, the Union said it will ballot 478 members from 21 July, regarding strike action and action short of strike, due to a dispute over pay, pensions and workload.

The union said it will ballot members, who work in schools and University College Isle of Man about discontinuous strike action during August 2020 to February 2021 and continuous action short of strike (work to rule) within the same dates.

Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, said: ’I am disappointed that NASUWT have decided to propose strike action. I would again like to thank all our teachers and school staff for their ingenuity and flexibility over the last three months and the amazing effort they have put into reopening our schools for all pupils.

’Re-starting talks had already been discussed with the Manx Industrial Relations Service and I hope better communication and dialogue can help find a fair settlement for our teachers and lecturers who provide such an excellent education for our children and young people’.

Isle of Man Newspapers is reaching out to the NASUWT and other teaching unions over the matters the government has announced.