Unite the Union regional representative Nick Corbel said the rejection of Deputy Geoff Southern’s proposition – by 27 votes to 20 – was a ‘disappointing result’ and would make meaningful talks to end the dispute more difficult.
Several days of strike action have already been held – the latest of which saw the vast majority of schools shut on Tuesday as teachers protested against the latest pay offer.
And unions have already indicated they would be willing to launch continued action if the impasse cannot be broken.
Mr Corbel said: ‘In all probability this means further industrial action. It is a very disappointing result for our members who are hard-working, conscientious workers who provide an excellent service to our community.
‘The employer has offered further talks and we have agreed to meet with them next week. Clearly they want to see us for a reason but we will have to wait and see how that progresses.
‘There is likely to be a summer of discontent. That is not where we want to be but we are being driven to this by an unreasonable employer.
‘Large sums of money have been wasted over a reasonably short period of time but it is not the fault of our members that, for example, £40 million was spent on a new hospital without a single brick being laid.’
Chief Minister John Le Fondré said the Assembly’s decision not to use reserves to fund increased pay awards was the ‘right decision for the long-term interests of the Island’.
Deputy Southern argued that a clause within the Public Finances Law allowed more money to be unlocked if there was a ‘serious threat to the economic, environmental or social wellbeing of Jersey’. The proposition did not contain a set amount to be used for pay deals.
Senator Le Fondré said: ‘I am grateful for the support from Members in supporting the States Employment Board’s position on the public sector pay proposition.
‘There is still a lot of work left to do to reach a resolution to the pay disputes with teachers and civil servants, and we are focused on reaching agreement with them and with other employee groups that have yet to accept the revised three-year pay offer.
‘I hope that public sector employees will have heard in the debate from all States Members that the work they do is truly valued. The government is committed to being a good employer and the States Employment Board will continue to work with unions to resolve the long-standing issues that have bedevilled public sector pay for far too long.’
