The three teaching unions in dispute say the proposed deal thrashed out between the NEU and the Education Department does not address their disputes.
Following the emergency question in Tynwald, the NAHT, ASCL and NASUWT issued a joint statement saying they had ’received an unprecedented, historic mandate from their members for industrial action’.
They say they represent 75% of all teachers in the island.
In Tynwald, Mr Cregeen said: ’NEU has the largest membership of teachers on the island and has indicated that it has over 500 of the department’s approximately 800 contracted teachers.’
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A spokesman for the three other unions said: ’The proposed "deal" between the smallest classroom teachers’ union, NEU, and the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, not approved by the Treasury, does not address any of the formal disputes of the united three unions who have mandates for action.
’It has also further eroded confidence in the leadership of the Department of Education, Sport and Culture. This was an isolated agreement that was negotiated outside the joint unions negotiating mechanism.’
The spokesman said Mr Cregeen’s confirmation to Tynwald that no business case had been put to the Treasury was ’at odds’ with last week’s announcement from the DESC and NEU ’and the literature to NEU members, that the proposals were fully funded’.
’There are grave concerns that the integrity of the ballot on the proposed deal for NEU members is open to corruption for anybody who has gained access to the survey link,’ they claimed.
’In contrast, the formal ballots undertaken by the three unions in dispute, have all been independently scrutinised.’
They added: ’Both NAHT and NASUWT have seen an enormous upsurge in their membership in recent weeks.
’Unfortunately, timing has meant that many of these new members were not balloted. However the fact they have changed unions clearly demonstrates their support for the current dispute.
’New members who have joined ASCL, NAHT or NASUWT will be protected whilst taking industrial action, in accordance with the action guidelines.’
The three unions are urging all teachers to attend a meeting at Braddan Church, from 4.30pm, next Tuesday (January 28), when a joint timetable for action will be discussed.