Covid-19 NEUs 1

The Union’s response to the Prime Minister’s statement

Background

Consistent messaging – members want schools/colleges to be safe for pupils and staff before they re-open. The NEU has led with posing the five tests and the questions to Government.  All TUC affiliate education unions signed up to the joint statement (last week) and endorsed the five tests – all led by the Union; still no response from Government on the questions posed in three letters to the Minister.  Helpful announcements from NI Scotland and Wales about schools.  Culminated in the ‘reckless’ statement by the PM on 10 May.

The Executive endorsed the following strategic response to the Prime Minister’s statement on 10 May 2020:

• The proposals to re-open schools for YR, Y1 and Y6 on 1 June were not, and could not be, a done deal and are contingent on both the Government and the Union’s tests being satisfied
• The Union will demand engagement by the Government about the evidence on which they are basing their plans for re-opening schools
• The immediate advice to members (via email on 11 May) will be that on the advice of their Union, they should not engage with any discussions about how the school/college will implement specific plans on re-opening until the Union is satisfied that the Government has answered our questions and a clear national plan has been published;
• The Union will counter any proposition by the Government that social distancing measures are not necessary in schools because pupils have non-replicating viral load and are, therefore non-infectious, with a demand for the peer-led evidence for this proposition
• The Union will scrutinise, analyse and respond to the DfE’s guidance due to be published 11 May
• Following the joint TUC affiliate letter/demands published last week, the Union will lead on a further joint response from TUC affiliates to the PM’s statement – JGSs due to attend TUC GC meeting immediately following the Executive meeting
• Section 44/EA ‘92 provides an obligation upon Government and employers to provide a safe working environment for school workers

Executive members reported

• Members incredulity that YR and Y1 potentially in first cohort back to school; some rationale for Y6 when the five tests satisfied
• Tone of much social media messaging – members upset, angry and anxious about the proposals, contingent although they might be
• Widespread support for the Union’s actions and stance to date – reflected in the growth in membership and reported criticism of another union by its members
• Letters already sent to some members instructing them to prepare to report to work on 1 June unless they are in ‘shielded’ cohort

The Union’s stance will be supported by:

The survey of members – 65k+ responses (now 101,000)

• 85 per cent of respondents said they disagreed with Boris Johnson’s plans to restart lessons for reception, year 1 and year 6 from 1 June.
• 92 per cent said they would not feel safe with the proposed wider opening of schools
• Of those with school age children, 89 per cent said they felt it would be unsafe or very unsafe to send their children back to school.

The Parentkind survey which has now garnered 350k+ signatures

The Union’s report citing international research findings supporting the Union’s five tests and the questions posed to Government – and, as yet, unanswered.  The report outlines urgent questions that must be answered before any easing of the current lockdown.  https://bit.ly/vital_questions. (thanks to Karam Bales and Chris Dutton for their contributions) and including the UEA research published previous week which demonstrated that the closure of schools was the single most effective response against the spread of infection in a population.

A zoom call to all local officers on Tuesday, 12 May and an all-rep ‘ part national and part regional zoom call on Thursday.   Branch secretaries will be encouraged to hold briefings for their reps, too

School groups without a school rep will be encouraged to volunteer one of their number as an acting rep so they can engage with all communications to workplace reps over the next few weeks.

The Government’s own guidance on the definition of ‘vulnerable’ had been extended to include those who are eligible for the annual ‘flu jab.

The Union working at all levels to provide the best response to the crisis on behalf of, and informed by, members.

• Clarity and guidance for reps and H&S reps with the ‘toolkit’ and workplace checklist in development
• Local democratic structures vital to organising and engaging with members
• Clear consensus that a national ballot not necessary or helpful
• Looking carefully at various ways in which members’ right to a safe workplace can be ensured
• Consider calling for equality impact assessments
• The initial response would be, by its nature, time-limited and will be recalibrated over time
• Build on links with parents’ organisations and, over time, consider some ‘public meetings’ (using FB live or similar)
• Build on links with medical groups and epidemiologists, including the Unite group of BMA members
• Provide a forum for members to post their particular concerns about the proposals for re-opening schools (initially to Amanda Brown/Andrew Morris)

It was agreed that additional OSG and Executive briefings would be scheduled over the next period to ensure that the Union’s response remains agile and that we continue to represent, defend and support our members and reps during this crucial time.