Agreement reached with DESC
On 26 August 2025, NAHT and the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC), with the assistance of Manx Industrial Relations Service, confirmed that they had reached a settlement in relation to the collective dispute.
The agreement secures progress across a number of key areas, and crucially, it also establishes a framework for continued dialogue on wider issues of importance to school leaders.
As a result, the industrial action planned by NAHT members for September has been withdrawn.
Both NAHT and DESC have welcomed this outcome and the constructive dialogue that led to it. 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.
The ballot
A formal ballot that took place between 07 July and 11 August 2025 resulted in a decisive vote to take industrial action after months of negotiation with the Isle of Man Government failed to resolve serious issues affecting the island’s school leaders, including the victimisation of NAHT members.
Of those eligible for the ballot. 61.9% turned out to vote and 69.23% of these voted in support of taking industrial action at the start of the new school term.
What was the ballot about?
This a collective dispute. It affects every school leader on the island. School leaders must be able to carry out their vast responsibilities without fear or favour.
At its heart are deeply concerning and repeated breaches of trust, policy and standards:
- Victimisation of NAHT elected officials and members for carrying out legitimate trade union activity.
- Breach of the Fairness at Work Policy, which promises “fairness, tolerance, understanding and respect for all staff” – a promise not being kept.
- Misuse of the Disciplinary Procedure for Teachers, which clearly states it should not be used primarily to impose sanctions – yet that’s exactly what is happening.
- Serious breaches of the Code of Conduct for Public Servants, including a failure of leadership and a disregard for professional and ethical standards.
FAQs
Click here to read all FAQs on the ballot
Click here to read our full list of actions being considered as part of any industrial action short of strike