NEU Cymru’s policy officer Stuart Williams led on a very informative and much requested webinar about the teacher pension scheme organised by Mairead Canavan and Liz McLean Executive members. See the recording of the webinar below.

Pensions webinar

Special Executive (8 June)

The Executive agreed the following in respect of the Support Staff dispute and Motion 36:

• To now move forward to a formal ballot of support staff members in England alongside teacher members in England – to open on Friday 23 June 2023 and close on Friday, 11 August
• the teacher dispute in Wales has been settled and we cannot and should not be in a position where we are asking support staff members in Wales to lose pay fighting a battle on funding which, without the action of teacher members, they cannot possibly win
• In Northern Ireland, the Executive member argued strongly not to include NI members on the basis of the current context in Northern Ireland, and in particular the work done by the union there to re-enter the Irish TUC
• To ballot our support staff members in England on inadequate levels of school funding linked to the threat of support staff job losses
• To concentrate first on winning the support staff ballot so that teacher and support staff members can take action together in England in the autumn in a dispute over inadequate funding
• To arrange meetings with the NJC unions, Unison, Unite and GMB to discuss paragraph 54 of the TUC dispute panel award to set up a consultation process involving NEU prior to the next round of NJC pay negotiations
• Following the ballot, in the autumn term, to write to the TUC and NJC unions, including the text of motion 36, and ask for a series of meetings with them to discuss how to take forward implementation of the motion, to discuss what implications it has for our current agreement with them, and being clear this is a Conference decision on which we must act.

A summary of the feedback on the first group session was circulated to the Executive and will inform ongoing strategic planning.  At the full Executive meeting, a detailed plan was agreed to deliver the support staff vote, including:

• Branches sent the weekly communications grid to branch secretaries
• Dashboard will be available for all reps and branches
• National Zoom meeting for all branch officers, reps and ballot volunteers to launch the support staff ballot
• National Zoom meeting for all support staff members to launch the support staff ballot.
• Branches to be encouraged to hold a local reps & ballot volunteers briefing and a separate members’ meeting as soon as possible to encourage reps and ballot volunteers to hold members’ meetings and to speak with every support staff member.
• Electronic and printed materials will be provided to branches to publicise their own meetings
• A PowerPoint for Officers, Reps and Ballot Volunteers will be prepared and distributed in the Officer Update and members’ NEU Update.
• Branches should have a draft target list of schools they aim to visit during the term and should contact regional/Wales offices if they need support with school visits.

Executive meeting (17 June)

JGS Report

• Groundswell of new rep activity; reinvigoration of previously moribund districts/branches; not an accident – a vindication of the VE:VE strategy
• Recognition that we must focus our efforts and resources on what members are concerned about and make strategic, evidence-based decisions to inform our choices – we cannot do everything
• Significant developments since the Conference resolution to hold three days of action – not least the leak of the STRB report recommending 6.5% – member feedback is that this would be seen as a success and the result of our members’ action
• The priority is to keep members united behind the campaign and prepared to take significant action alongside other unions in the autumn
• On these bases, the recommendation is to call members out for one day with a focus on the Government releasing the STRB report and fully funding any offer; members in 6FC not to be included on the basis that w/c 3 July is recruitment week for the sector/across all colleges

Following a lengthy debate, the recommendations from the SC: B&N were agreed unamended:

1. To call two days of strike action of all teacher members in maintained schools and sixth form colleges in England on Wednesday 5 July 2023 and Friday 7 July 2023.
2. To call a London demonstration on Wednesday 5 July 2023
3. On the days of action, to undertake local “build the ballot” events, rallies and demonstrations.

The Executive also endorsed all Strategy Committee reports from March and agreed:

• To repeat the consultation on the reorganisation of the Powys District (following a very low turnout) with emphasis on using it as an organising opportunity with an aspiration to deliver higher member engagement
• Not renew the contract with Lighthouse (financial advisors) when it ends on 31 August 2023 and instead offer Lighthouse services through myRewards. Lighthouse has a pre-existing relationship with Parliament Hill, the company that provides the NEU myRewards platform. This option ensures that those NEU members who still wish to access these services can do so.  Parliament Hill is registered with the FCA and would take full responsibility for compliance;
• The extension of the contract term with Parliament Hill from 3 to 5 years for £28,750 + VAT pa (to July 2026)
• Noted the Finance Report; with membership income higher than budgeted for leading to a favourable variance of £1,846,323. Higher than budgeted costs driven by the pay campaign in particular has created an overall deficit of £457,345; 
• Noted the draft budget; with a specific contingency fund for pay and workload campaign activity and a contingency for any General Election spending.  Consequential higher costs with membership influx such as Educate and reps training budget. There is some additional work to be carried out with budget holders, for example in relation to legal costs, before the final budget is presented at the July meeting for final sign off
• Hardship Funds:
• Districts, who can afford to, are encouraged to contribute to the national strike fund;
• Guidance is provided to districts recommending that they apply a flat rate payment of £45/£50 to requests from their Local Hardship Fund.
• Key dates for Annual Conference
• Deadline for motions 03-Dec
• Motions sent to districts for priority voting 07 January
• Deadline for conference committee nominations 06 February
• Deadline for delegates & observers to be submitted 06 February
• Deadline for priority voting 06 February
• Accounts, last year’s minutes and Exec report sent to districts 13 February
• Deadline for amendments to motions, standing orders and Exec report 06 March
• Deadline for updates to delegate lists 20  March
• Agenda sent to delegates 20 March
• Deadline for questions to the Treasurer 27 March
• The Committee considered complaints received about Executive elections in districts 4 and 8. The Committee noted that analysis of the process by Civica demonstrated that inclusion of second and third preference votes from the spoilt papers in the candidates’ totals would have made no difference to the outcome and the same candidates would have been elected.  The Executive agreed that a review of the format of the ballot paper in future elections where guarded candidates have been elected by rule is undertaken.
• The Executive agreed not to fill the two Officer vacancies effective from 1 September (Past President and Membership & Equalities Officer)
• The Executive agreed the following revised protocol for Executive attendance:  
• The Covid-related reasons for remote attendance are now lifted for all except those who are immuno-compromised.
• That remote attendance is offered to those who are immuno-compromised or those who have an impairment.
• That the AGS, Business Services is authorised to agree/decline all requests for online attendance at Executive meetings.

JGS Report

The Joint General Secretaries began their report by emphasising their key message – winning the re-ballot of teacher members in England which had opened on 11 May.

• Zoom call with reps and branch officers on the evening of 11 May – message clear that the focus for everyone was getting the vote out
• Key focus is supporting branches to hold reps’ meetings; reps holding workplace meetings and then following up with personal engagement with their members – data show that the former led to average 76% turnout and the latter up to average 82% turnout
• Encouraging reps and branches to update their dashboard and provide information about the target schools with large memberships but no reps
• Good initial indications from comms with members – a 10k increase in number of pledges to vote from similar stage in the first ballot
• Stronger Reps’ network – 3.5k more and impressively high calibre

STRB – evidence stage for 2023/4 award

• The Union’s evidence session on 19 April was hugely powerful; driven by narrative of four practitioners – from different phases (two school leaders; a secondary subject head; a primary member); powerfully demonstrated the corrosive effects of year-on-year declining funding rates; desperate delays in CAMSS referrals; inability to recruit to posts; stress of failing to provide the education that pupils deserve; one Union contributor broke down in tears as she was giving her evidence
• Drove the message home – the Union called for the STRB to demonstrate the Government’s rhetoric that the STRB was truly independent and make recommendations independent of the Government’s strictures on ‘affordability’
• the Government now has the STRB report and recommendations but no announcement yet made – onus now on the Secretary of State – the Union’s message will be ‘time to publish’
• Key timings for any decision about further action in the summer term
• Analysing member/rep/branch and strike committee responses about further action indicates clear concerns about further action without other unions – NEU members shouldering the burden – and members concerned about being out of school for end of term activities
• Aware that the Government will minutely measure the full/partial closure rates during any action and use as propaganda against the Union’s campaign

Support Staff

A confidential paper was circulated in advance of the meeting to the full Executive and for referral to SC:B&N and SC:US. 

The JGSs reported that:

• We remain committed to being a union for all education staff;
• meeting with Paul Nowak, Kevin Rowan and Sue Ferns (DGS of Prospect and Chair of the Disputes Committee) held on 25 April.  The JGSs had set out our predominant concerns about the judgement; the key issue being the inability of the NEU to call any action on behalf of support staff members under Paragraph 55. Mr Rowan reassured the JGSs that this interpretation was wrong, and this ruling relates only to disputes arising from the national bargaining arrangements. Mary had secured this reassurance in writing from Mr Rowan
• The TUC also encouraged the JGSs to pursue the provisions under paragraph 55 for a formal mechanism for negotiations/consultation between the NEU and the JNCC unions prior to annual pay negotiations.  Subsequently, the JGSs had held very useful preliminary discussions with lead officials at Unison and GMB
• JGSs proposing a letter of solidarity to the NJC unions; and offering discussions about how any ballot of our 50k SS members can support their demands.

The Executive also endorsed all Strategy Committee reports from March and agreed

Pay Campaign – Teachers

1. That a final decision on issuing formal notice for teachers’ strike days (schools and sixth forms) should be subject to ratification by the Executive on 17 June, with Officers’ Steering Group invited to review the matter and offer suitable advice when it meets on 25 May.
2. That provisional plans should be made for further strike action on week commencing Monday 3 July and published to reps and members
3. That we use this pause before issuing formal notice to maximise leverage on the Government to return to the negotiating table with an improved offer, publicly calling on the Government to publish the STRB report and its response, as soon as possible.
4. That such provisional planning should include the following:
   1. Proactive gathering of teacher member feedback (including sixth forms) via executive, district, branches and reps;
   1. Further discussions with sister unions with a view to maximising the unity and impact of any further strike action;
   1. Detailed operational consideration of how further strike days can maximise the likelihood of a positive outcome in our teachers’ re-ballot, e.g. the ‘harvesting’ and return of replacement ballots.
5. General motion on escalation of action be referred to the June Executive

Support Staff                                                                                          

1. That Executive conducts an indicative ballot of support staff opening as soon as possible and closing on 7 June.
2. That the indicative ballot should identify the willingness of support staff members to take strike action on both the following matters of dispute, with a recommendation that members vote YES:
   1. Increased funding to avoid redundancies and further detriment to conditions of service;
   1. Increased funding to support the NJC-recognised unions pay claim for RPI+ 2%.
3. That all support staff-members in state-funded schools and academies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland should be eligible to vote in the indicative ballot.
4. That NEU should seek to maximise collaboration with the NJC-recognised unions and accordingly, at the earliest opportunity, will write to the NJC-recognised unions seeking an indication of support or otherwise for NEU proceeding to a formal ballot on the basis identified in 2, and also to establish the consultation mechanism set out in paragraph 54 of the TUC Dispute Award.
5. That, in light of the result of the indicative ballot and the response from NJC-recognised unions, a final decision on proceeding to a formal ballot should be taken at the 8 June exec away day, with a view to ensuring any strike mandate is live in time to take action alongside teachers and/or NJC unions in September.
6. That more detailed discussion on how and when to implement the terms of Motion 36 should be deferred to the Executive Away Day on 8 June.
7. That an update on all the above should be provided to the next meeting of the Support Staff National Council on Saturday 3 June.
8. That the Union pay the specified fines set out in the award (para 61);
9. That the Union publish the agreed statement on our website (para 63); and
10. with those two things being done, write to the recognised support staff unions to begin to set up a consultation process prior to the next round of NJC negotiations (para 54).
11. That the the Executive refer motion 36 to the Executive Away Day on 8 June for further consideration of how and when to implement the terms of the motion;  

• Definition of transphobia – following the joint meeting of Union Strength and Member Defence, and the receipt of legal advice from two Counsel, which the Executive had resolved to obtain (with a view to seeking to protect the Union from legal challenge), the Executive agreed to adopt the definition statement as advised by Kings Counsel, in line with the timetable previously agreed by the Executive.  Guidance to support its operation and implementation would be produced.  
• Financial report; a positive variance of just over £1 million on the membership income budget with an overall a negative variance of just over £2.5 million mainly driven by the spend on the national pay campaign.
• considered the position of subscription rates in the light of the cost-of-living crisis, the Union’s current and potential future membership position and anticipated union expenditure in the next financial year; and agreed that membership subscription rates increase by 5%
• the appointment of Azets as external auditors
• the following dates for Executive meetings in 2024: –

18 January (Thu)             Final accounts

24 February (Sat)            Amendments

21 March (Thu)               Attitudes and Subscription rates

18 May (Sat)                    Initial post-Conference discussions

6 June (Thu)                      Provisional Awayday date

15 June (Sat)                    TUC motions/delegates/draft budget

11 July (Thu)                    Final budget

10 October (Thu)

30 November (Sat)          Conference motions

• A timetable for the by-elections for the NDC/NAC and Executive vacancies (nominations from 19 May to 21 July and any elections from 4-29 September).
• Agreed funding requests: a sponsorship payment of £30,000 plus VAT and a donation of £20,000 to Music for Youth; a donation of £20,000 to Love Music: Hate Racism for a float at Notting Hill Carnival and a donation of £5,000 to the Windrush Festival  
• To continue the implementation of the 2022 Conference resolution (the mental health of caseworkers), a caseworker survey that will go out the following week and be publicised via the e-bulletin; preliminary findings and key themes will be discussed at the June DBS with workshops to consider how we best support caseworkers. 

Liz McLean and Mairead Canavan executive members, attended Colwyn Bay Pride 2023, it was an uplifting and wonderful experience.

So positive to chat with lots of young people sharing their experiences in schools and colleges – many who have set up LGBT+ groups and safe spaces.

Thanks to Denbighshire NEU committee members for managing the stall and engaging with the local community.

#proudtobeNEU

I joined many other comrades from striking unions to speak about our NEU pay campaign at the annual Cardiff May day rally. We rallied from one end of Cardiff to the other having some speeches at each end and showing the strength of our movement. The workers are on the rise! #victorytotheworkers

JGS Report

The JGSs reported on an intensive week of Government negotiations with ASCL, NAHT and NASUWT. The Government’s opening offer was a cash uplift for current year of £500 and 3.5% from September and all arguments about inflation and the recruitment and retention crisis were simply ignored; the Government’s sole and specious argument was based on inflation projections (despite that month’s OBR inflation prediction being inaccurate).  The Government’s final offer was:

• £1,000 non-consolidated payment to all teachers and leaders for 2022/23.
  4.5% pay envelope for teachers in 2023/24
• Ofsted to provide greater clarity on when schools should expect their next inspection.
  Reinsert into the STPCD a revised list of 21 tasks which do not call for the exercise of a teachers’ professional judgement. And similar list for leaders.
• Align STRB process with school budget cycle to make it easier for schools to plan.
• Reiterate the important of adhering to language in the STPCD on lunchtime and breaks.
• Reiterate the important of adhering to language on rarely cover within the STPCD.
• Commitment to review the complaints procedure for parents.
• Ofsted will review the complaints process for schools regarding inspection.
  Creation of a workload task force – purpose of which will be:
• Five-hour target reduction in teacher and leader workload.
• Target measured annually with a baseline from WLTL study 2022.
• Membership: equal government and TU membership.
• Recommendations made to SoS ministers and General Secretaries

The Government has stipulated that the offer is conditional upon all 4 union Executives putting the offer to their members with either a neutral or a positive recommendation.  If any union either refuses to put the offer to members, or puts the offer with a recommendation to reject, the offer would be withdrawn.

The Executive agreed the following steps:

1. That Executive recommends that the offer is rejected.
2. To conduct an online ballot asking all eligible teacher members in England to endorse the executive recommendation, opening at 6pm Monday 27 March and closing Sunday 2 April.
3. To run a national members’ Zoom to outline the offer and any executive recommendation at 6pm on the day the online ballot opens, follow-up regional Zooms and encourage branches and districts to run follow-up meetings and Zooms with their reps and union groups later next week.
4. To agree, if members vote to endorse the executive recommendation to reject the offer, that notice of two further days of strike action would be issued to employers as soon as practicable, as follows: Thursday 27 April and Tuesday 2 May.
5. To put to members in the Zoom meetings and materials that in calling for Rejection, the NEU will be calling the strike dates as outlined in point 4, and to explain that a programme of escalating strike action will be put to Conference, as a key part of the strategy with which to move the Government.
6. To table an emergency motion to annual conference setting out a pattern of escalation for the remainder of the summer term.
7. To convene a Special Executive immediately following the consultative ballot closes to review next steps in the pay campaign, including any amendment to the emergency motion submitted to Annual Conference.

TUC dispute

The Executive agreed to await the Joint General Secretaries report back on their discussions with the TUC General Secretary about the implications of the TUC Dispute Finding and review a timetable for balloting support staff during the summer term.   The Executive also agreed that decisions on their attitude to the following motions be deferred to the meeting of the Executive at annual conference; M24 Support staff strategy; M28 Support staff recognition; M36 Equal representation for support staff.

OFSTED

Mary Bousted reported that the tragic suicide of Ruth Perry and her sister’s brave decision to highlight the case had brought the high stakes nature of the toxic inspection regime to public attention; coincided with scheduled petition hand-in and launch of the Union’s commission to frame the narrative ‘beyond OFSTED’.

The Executive also endorsed all Strategy Committee reports from February and agreed

• proposers and seconders for all Executive motions/amendments on the final agenda; emergency motions on the Pay Dispute and Palestine and the purchase of additional HEPA filters at a cost of £4,365.00 (ex. VAT).
• Agreed the following award winners: NEU Rep of the Year: Sarita Healey, Birmingham, West Midlands; NEU Officer of the Year: Andrew Cunningham, South West Lancashire, North West; Nikki Simpson award for learning: Maria Williams, Cambridgeshire, Eastern
• And the following criteria for future awards:
• Nominations for Executive members should not be accepted for these awards.
• Executive members should be able to submit nominations for these awards, but they should not carry more weight.  Executive members should support other members, reps and local officers to submit motions.
• Joint winners from different workplaces should not be permitted.
• Finance report – whilst income was higher than budgeted for, the increased expenditure around the pay campaign has created an overall adverse variance of £3,312,693.
• Agreed to renew the HR MyView contract and a restructuring of staff in the Bargaining Unit
• authorise negotiations to start to secure new premises for Northwest Region in Bolton
• Agreed funding requests: a donation of £5,000 to the Matchgirls Memorial;  and £74,000 to Hope not Hate and £30,000 to Operation Black Vote of £30,000 from the Political Fund.

We held a very inspiring and positive NEU IWD event in Llandudno – It was titled Embracing Equity and incorporated all of the equality strands

It was organised by myself and Liz McLean and we had four excellent workshops:

Show Racism the Red Card

Self identification and inequality faced by disabled women

The new NEU sexism and sexual harassment toolkit and

AGENDA-supporting young people to make positive relationships matter.

Here are some photos of the delegates and facilitators participating and having lots of fun.

Thanks to all of those involved- it was a great day and a wonderful experience.

What a fantastic #tucwomensconference2023 with 5 delegates from Wales most of whom made speeches for the first time the conference was chaired by the NEU’s amazing Heather Mackenzie. I co-chaired a fringe event about our new toolkit about preventing sexism and sexual harassment with Louise Regan . The toolkit is called it’s not ok #womendemandbetter

Our second strike day started early in the Vale of Glamorgan with an excellent picket line at Ysgol y Deri this morning – it was big and loud with the BBC there to talk to members. There was a real show of solidarity with support staff and teachers striking and standing together, we all know that funding of any pay rise is crucial to save jobs.

Then we had a strike breakfast in Cosy club with reps and members of NEU Vale of Glamorgan joined by Liz McLean executive member and Kathy Steelandt from Denbighshire.

Finally we had a fantastic rally at the Senedd with many fantastic speeches – listen to mine below.