Head teachers and deputy head teachers to take industrial action 

Union NAHT announces ballot result

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has confirmed that its members on the Isle of Man have voted to take industrial action at the beginning of the new school year.

A formal ballot by the school leaders' union opened on Monday 7 July and closed today (Monday 11 August).

It says the result 'follows months of unresolved negotiations' with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture over what it describes as the ‘misuse of disciplinary proceedings, disregard of agreed policies, and victimisation of union officials’.

Rob Kelsall, NAHT’s assistant general secretary, said: “This is not a step any head teacher wants to take and it is not a decision that has been taken lightly.

“It is about standing up for the safety, dignity, and fair treatment of members in the face of disgraceful treatment by the education department which may well constitute unlawful conduct.

“The ball is in the chief minister’s court now to resolve this dispute. We have been in extensive negotiations with the chief executive to try and reconcile our differences. However, we remain some distance apart on key aspects of the dispute.

“Of course, we remain ready to hold further discussions with the Isle of Man government to resolve these issues, but it must be willing not just to listen but also to act upon our serious concerns.”

NAHT’s Isle of Man executive originally recommended moving to a formal ballot after an indicative electronic poll showed strong support for action.

This came after an emergency meeting where union leaders unanimously backed escalation.

In May, Mr Kelsall wrote to the Government's Interim Chief Executive, Mark Lewin, raising a formal collective dispute with the education department.

The union has outlined four critical concerns underpinning the dispute:

• Victimisation of NAHT members and officials, potentially amounting to trade union detriment and breaches of protected employment rights.
• Repeated breaches of the Fairness at Work Policy, failing to uphold fairness, tolerance, understanding, and respect.
• Misuse of disciplinary procedures for teachers, contrary to the principle that such procedures should support professional development rather than impose punitive sanctions.
• Breaches of the Code of Conduct for Public Servants, including a failure to model appropriate leadership behaviours and uphold professional and ethical standards.

Manx Radio has contacted the NAHT and the DESC for comment.