Executive NEUs from the last executive meeting of this academic year

Joint General Secretaries’ Report

At their meeting on Saturday, the Executive agreed the following in relation to the ballot and on-going assessment campaign:

1. These ballot results do not indicate that were we to conduct a formal ballot we would reach the legal thresholds or be able to deliver a meaningful boycott. Only 22% of the ballot cohort voted for the action, when the legislation requires 40%, moreover the analysis of the voting by year group shows a majority of members who would be called upon to deliver the boycott voted against taking action.

2. However, the 97% vote in favour of question 1, which was consistent across all cohorts and demographics, shows the members want an end to toxic testing in primary schools. We must exploit this result to the fullest. It is an endorsement of the Union’s position and the positions of the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green parties. It is a condemnation of the Government’s support for SATs and refusal to countenance change.

3. We will develop a programme of high-profile regional events to discuss the alternative to SATs and high stakes testing in primary schools. This will build member engagement and confidence that there are viable alternatives to the current regime.

4. We will continue to work with all political parties, parents and campaign groups, including More Than A Score, to expose the flaws in the current regime and agree a political programme for its replacement with a primary assessment framework which is professionally focused, educationally sound and with widespread support amongst stakeholders.

5. We will continue to campaign against the introduction of baseline testing.

6. Wecongratulatetheschoolrepresentatives,officersandstaffwhoworkedso

hard to build this ballot.

7. The Executive notes the excellent work done in Districts to build the primary assessment campaign during the indicative ballot. We note that in a number of Districts this work resulted in them beating or coming close to the legal ballot thresholds.

8. The joint General Secretaries should now enter into dialogue with those Districts about whether there is an effective way to further develop the campaign in their areas, with no options ruled out in advance of that dialogue.

AR21

The Union’s AR21 report was published last week and confirms the union’s membership total at 450,156, making us the fourth largest union in the TUC after GMB, Unison and Unite. The AR21 has been submitted to the Certification Officer and the Statement which we are required to provide to all members has been posted on the website. We have also included a link to the Political Fund ‘opt-out’ declaration – again a statutory requirement

TUC matters

The Executive agreed the text for two motions on ‘Sectoral Bargaining’ and ‘Poverty and Privatisation – damage children’s education’ to go forward to TUC Congress. The text agreed on the ‘Climate Change emergency’ and ‘Education Funding’ will form the basis of the two amendments the Union can also submit. Philipa Harvey was elected as the third nominee to the TUC General Council alongside the two JGSs.

Funding Rally

It was agreed that the Union will organise a funding rally in November that builds on the successful “Together for Education” event, to put maximum pressure on politicians in the run up to the budget and spending review, and if necessary to build towards a bigger demonstration in June 2010.

Casework Flowchart

The Executive agreed a report via the Strategy Committee: Member Defence setting out pathways and a chart of distribution of casework. Once finalised, the pathways and distribution of casework will be publicised to local officers and reps and reflected in Union communications.

Approaches to Mental Health

The Union agreed the paper setting out the agreed approach to mental health policy and how the policy will impact on organising, training, activity grants and CPD.

Annie Higdon Award

The Executive agreed the arrangements for nominating to and selecting the first recipient of the Annie Higdon award to acknowledge the work of lay members in challenging sexism and building women’s activity in the union. Elections for 5 members of the Panel will be held in September with Philipa Harvey (GC seat holder) and Chair of the Women’s OF and representative on the TUC Women’s Committee. Nominations will be sought through the autumn term and the Panel will meet on 6 February to recommend the first award winner.

By-election timetable

The Executive agreed a timetable to fill the vacancy for Support Staff Member with nominations sought by the end of October and any election to open on 11 November 2019 and close on 2 December 2019.

Conference Matters

The Executive agreed the timetable for Conference 2020 and that Conference 2021 be held from Wednesday 7 April – Saturday 10 April 2021 to maximise delegate participation. A venue is yet to be decided. The outcome of the digi-votes by NUT legacy delegates at 2019 Conference delegates would be published.

EIS Joint Partnership Agreement

The Executive agreed the joint partnership agreement with EIS in relation to support for members in Scotland. The NEU members on the joint liaison group to be Gordon White (member District 17) and Debra Beale (elected by SC:MD).

Hamilton House Refurbishment Project

The Executive agreed the recommendation by GPC the finalised project costs of £2,734,173 plus a suggested 5% contingency and VAT, at a total cost of £3,445,058.

Fundraising Request

The Executive agreed a donation of £2000 towards the “Together Against Trump” demonstration on 4 June.

Bargaining in MATs:

The SC: Bargaining and Negotiating held a productive discussion on aspects of bargaining approaches in order to inform discussion of overall NEU bargaining strategy in Autumn term.

Pay Negotiations:

• no announcement yet for School Teachers in England or Wales

• 1% offer for SFCs and FE Colleges in England; the Union’s ballot in Sixth Form colleges ongoing and due to close in September.