The Officer Steering Group met on 19 March 2020 to discuss urgent matters that would have been considered at the March Executive meeting. A summary of the decisions is set out below. All reports and papers are on Convene.
The following minutes were all agreed as an accurate record of proceedings:
- Minutes of EIGHTH NEU Executive Meeting held on 6 February 2020;
- Minutes of the TENTH Officer Steering Group held on 5 March (Niamh Sweeney wrongly omitted from attendance)
- Minutes of the EIGHTH Strategy: General Purposes Committee (6 February 2020).
- Minutes of the EIGHTH Strategy: Union Strength Committee (6 February 2020).
- Minutes of the EIGHTH Strategy: Bargaining & Negotiation Committee (6 February 2020).
- Minutes of the EIGHTH Strategy: Member Defence Committee (6 February 2020).
- Minutes of the EIGHTH Strategy: Policy, Research & Campaigns Committee (6 February 2020)
- Minutes of the TENTH Action Committee (5 March 2020).
- Minutes of the International Committee (6 February 2020).
- Report of the Officers’ Meeting held on 5 March 2020.
- Report of the Officers’ Meeting – Conference Amendments (11 March 2020) acting as a Committee of Emergency.
- The Report of the NDC held on 7 February 2020 (to note).
Sixth Form College Action and all local action
The Union has withdrawn notices of all action and cancelled all action ballots with the school closures. This does not include the Isle of Man where schools are still open and we have a dispute which might result in balloting members for action and Northern Ireland where the action short of strike action continues, pending confirmation that the funding of the pay claim will be finalised.
The OSG agreed the following schedule of meetings for 2021
Executive
Thursday, 14 January (Final Accounts)
Saturday, 20 February (amendments/subscription rate)
Thursday, 25 March (attitudes)
Saturday, 8 May (TUC delegates/motions)
Thursday, 10 June
Saturday, 17 July
Saturday, 2 October
Thursday, 25 November (Conference motions)
Officer Steering Group
Thursday, 11 February (initial consideration of prioritised motions)
Thursday, 11 March
Thursday, 22 April (initial post-Conference discussions)
Thursday, 20 May
Thursday, 1 July
Thursday, 9 September (TUC attitudes – recommendations to delegation)
Thursday, 4 November
Thursday, 16 December
The OSG agreed the Disciplinary Procedures (following review group recommendations) with some slight amendments and a note on the operation of NDC/NAC both in the current crisis and going forward. A suite of templates/advice notes and standard letters will be available to assist parties to a dispute and their companions.
Covid-19 – urgent decisions
The OSG received a report on business continuity arrangements (GPC 10/2103020). In addition, they agreed that the Advice Line and Membership Helpline would move to email advice only until further notice; that urgent consideration be given to setting up a national Hardship Fund to which districts and members could donate; that we would explore the mechanics of setting up ‘subs holidays’ for members not receiving pay. Information about applying to the Trust Fund would also be cascaded to members suffering hardship. The OSG also agreed that the advice to branches and districts on meetings should be revised in the light of latest advice and that no physical meetings be held until further notice. Districts to be advised that they should roll over 2019 honoraria decisions.
Under the Financial Report the OSG noted the management response to the audit letter ((GPC 4/4a and 4b /210320) and agreed the appointment of BDO as the auditors following tender exercise.
Membership subscription rates with effect from 1 September 2020
The OSG received a detailed paper analysing membership trends, budget pressures and competitors’ sub rates (GPC 5/210320). The OSG agreed that the union increase the national subscription rates by 2.75% to match anticipated subscription income with anticipated expenditure levels. This rate would be reviewed at the next meeting as informed by the on-going budget modelling. Given the cost savings to the union of withdrawing the offer and the lack of impact on member recruitment, the OSG agreed that the Union would again not provide a special offer for 2020/21. The new joiner rate will be the published rates for Leadership, Teacher/Lecturer and Support with no local fee payable.
NEU Conferences
In the light of current advice re public movement/gatherings, the OSG agreed to cancel national events scheduled for the summer and review the autumn conferences by the end of May; staff convenors of OFs and NCs would confer with their groups in the interim and seek to establish regular digital communications including virtual meetings.
Executive by-elections
Following the election of Daniel Kebede and Louise Atkinson as Officers, two by-elections will be required. The OSG agreed that the elections should be postponed to ensure that districts have the time and opportunity to make valid nominations.
Funding and Donations
The OSG agreed to the following donations/affiliations:
Outdoor Education Advisors Panel (GPC 19-19b/210320) – a donation of £750.
Stand up to Racism – the OSG received a report on the 2019 activities funded by the NEU’s contribution of £68k and agreed a request for £70k funding for detailed list of activities. It was noted that some of this money could be set against the Political Fund, for example a student event with a focus on voter registration.
Staffing matters
The OSG received an update on the on-going pay negotiations and agreed to retain the 2% pay offer to staff; the OSG noted a report from the Executive Project Group on the NEU pension scheme project and agreed not to move to the consultation period given the current situation.
Executive arrangements
The OSG agreed that the Executive meeting in May should be cancelled in accordance with current Government/Union advice. The OSG would meet on 7 May and the possibility of ‘streaming’ the meeting for the Executive would be explored.
NEU Executive news for Wales by Mairead Canavan 