Executive NEUs December 2020

JGS Report – Kevin reported on

• Update on the Union’s position to the non-statutory guidance on PHSE; to be confidential at this stage with a further report to the January meeting
• The OSG had endorsed the policy to defend CEV members following the Government’s announcement that it was safe for them to return to work; Union’s position set out in letters to all employers (LA/MATs/heads) and to members
• Union swiftly responded to Government announcement re INSET day for all schools on 18 December; powerful (and popular) blog from the President
• Worrying evidence of pressure upon individual heads to keep schools open and preclude moving to online where infection rates were high; looking at joint position with the headteacher unions
• As a result of the Union’s pressure on Government, the data on staff and pupil absences in schools/colleges were due to be published on 15 December
• Announcement on mass-testing focussed on South East (Kent, London, Essex) and did not reflect higher rates in areas such as Hull.

Mary reported to the Union’s response and approach to the Government’s announcements on GCSE and A levels in England (more generous grade boundaries/topics announced at end of Jan/aide memoire allowed in exam halls/3-week delay/resits permissible in July)

• Government announcement woefully late; no overall strategy and no ‘plan b’
• Our Assessment Commission due to report in January 2021
• EDSK think-tank with which we work closely (and support financially) due to issue report on assessment and accountability in January 2021
• Member focus groups reveal a variety of views with concern about workload associated with teacher assessment

The Executive agreed the following proposal:

Any public response on exams should lead with the fact that the government has created this mess by not developing an assessment system based on moderated teacher assessment. It is still our position that this would be preferable to going ahead with high-stakes exams in the current context. However, by leaving it so late, even doing the right thing now would put intolerable pressure on our members.

• The union will poll members in early Jan on whether they believe the government should have cancelled exams in Sept and whether they support cancellation now.
• We will pursue a joint statement on university admissions with UCU and NUS

TUC AGREEMENT – in the light of a number of complaints from UNISON arising from some Union messaging, the publicising of the Support Staff Conference motion on social media and perceptions of poaching and breaking the agreement in some localities, there was a full discussion followed by the Executive’s reaffirmation of their commitment to the TUC brokered agreement.

Sixth form colleges and FE colleges pay – the NEC endorsed the rejection of the AOC offer on FE staff pay; and reject the SFCA offer on sixth form college teachers’ pay.

The Executive noted the Finance Report showing variance at 31 October 2020 including a report on the 2019 General election spend (GPC 4/121220) and noted the Membership Report with regional/Wales and rep breakdowns (Executive 6a/121220). The Executive agreed the proposed changes to future pension benefits for all NEU staff earned after 1 July 2021 and the timeline and process for employee consultation January – April 2021. The consultation responses to be considered by Executive in May 2021. The Executive agreed the proposed timetable for the election of Deputy General Secretary. The standing orders for Annual Conference 2021 were agreed.  The Executive agreed to engage Knight Frank agents to market Northumberland Street for sale. The Executive agreed and welcomed staff policies and procedures on Domestic violence and abuse, Drugs, alcohol and gambling related harm, Stress at work. The Executive agreed to retain the current facility time arrangements with the recognised unions.

The Executive agreed a mixed Action Network and Mail Chimp project with Action Network to be used as the national bulk email system of choice for communications other than those concerned with membership subscriptions which will continue to be sent directly using the basic email system that runs direct from the APT membership system. Full details at GPC 10/121220. A geographical Executive member has notified that they’ve been appointed to a post outside their electoral district and it was noted that the Rules were not explicit on this matter.  Agreed that a by-election should be held and that a rule change is considered to clarify the position in future. The Executive agreed additional funding of £50,000 for the National Hardship Fund revised criteria for applicants (the majority of whom are currently supply members) which would be signposted in the next e-Bulletin and posted on the website.  Funding requests the Executive agreed to donate £1000 to Love Music Hate Racism from the general fund donations budget and £55,000 to Hope Not Hate from the Political Fund. 

After discussion, the Executive agreed the changes to the regulations on Honoraria payments which are likely to affect a very small number of districts.  District officers will be provided with the revised regulations early in the New Year.     

The 2021 judging panel for the national Rep and Officer of the Year Awards and the Nikki Simpson Award for learning to be:  Louise Atkinson; Mairead Canavan; Dominic Coughlin; Christopher Denson; Niamh Sweeney; Dawn Taylor; and Adam Van Asch.  The elections to the vacancy on the Annie Higdon Award Panel were agreed with the deadline for nominations being 17 December (to Rachel or Geoff).

The Executive noted the Regional/Wales Council Programme of Activities and Budgets received to date.  The Executive welcomed the new Domestic Abuse Policy of the Union and congratulated all members and staff involved. The Committee confirmed Philipa Harvey, Sheena Wheatley and Wendy Hardy as the Member Defence members of the Subgroup that will consider a new Code of Conduct on Social Media for members with Union Strength.

Wishing you all a peaceful and enjoyable festive season.