Industrial action called off as dispute between school leaders and education department 'settled'

National Association of Head Teachers issues statement on new agreement

The school leaders' union NAHT and the Department of Education, Sport and Culture say they have settled their ongoing dispute.

It means planned industrial action next month will no longer take place. 

Union members voted to take action earlier this month following what it described as 'months of unresolved negotiations' with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture over the ‘misuse of disciplinary proceedings, disregard of agreed policies, and victimisation of union officials’.

Now, with the help of the Manx Industrial Relations Service, the union says the agreement secures progress across a number of key areas and, crucially, 'establishes a framework for continued dialogue on wider issues of importance to school leaders'.

A statement says both NAHT and the Department of Education, Sport and Culture have welcomed this outcome and the constructive dialogue that led to it. 

It says the DESC has reaffirmed its commitment to working positively with NAHT, with other unions, and with school leaders to address the matters raised and to build on this progress.