GS REPORT – introduced the strategy paper, not intended for member communication but to frame the Union’s focus for development of strategy:

· We continue to want schools open as soon as possible safely – every school should ensure the checklist is in place.

· We want SAGE and PH (England, Wales and NI) to publish the science and modelling

· Unlike the Government, the NEU has a plan B – which may well be needed if there are outbreaks of COVID in schools

· Urgent work to develop checklist (based on revised guidance) underway; to be issued with as many TUC affiliates as possible

The focus for development of tactics should be:

· Regular engagement with local public health officials.

· Regular engagement with reps and members through regions/Wales and branches.

· A district level focus on areas of heightened risk – including partial or complete blended learning.

· Protection of vulnerable/at risk staff

· The 10-point recovery plan and five ‘C’s document

Accepting that there will be a full school return in September, it was agreed to call a meeting of the National Executive on 20 August, followed by briefings for branch Secretaries and reps before the new term. The JGSs took on board comments from OSG (and via strategy committees) for fine-tuning the strategy document.

DISTRICT OFFICERS – The OSG confirmed the interpretation of the rules that in line with all other elected roles in the union the term of office for district officers is from 1 September following the election until the following 31 August.

TUC Congress 2020 – The TUC have confirmed that the formal business of Congress will be delegated to an extended meeting of the General Council on 14/15 September to run alongside an online event with keynote speeches and two or three focussed debates on GC statements. Agreeing motions and amendments will be carried out by the extended GC meeting, using weighted electronic balloting in the event of contested votes. The OSG agreed to submit motions on the disproportionate impact of C19 on women and inequality (in liaison with the Chair of the Women’s OF) and poverty (disparity of health/wealth and opportunities) and to circulate the online registration details to all elected delegates to Congress. Louise Atkinson was elected as third GC member. It was noted that all members can sign up via the TUC website.

Operation of Regional/Wales Councils – In line with the decision in relation to district meetings, it was agreed that regional/Wales councils can hold digital meetings to agree their programme of activities for 2020/21 acknowledging that these may be digital or physical events. The meetings should follow the protocols agreed for digital district meetings. In line with the decisions on local subscription rates and honoraria payments, it was also agreed that the 2019/20 levy rates are carried forward to the next financial year.

Conference Business – The OSG agreed to hold a one-day special conference by zoom with provisional date of 3 October with the following business:

a) Conference and Executive reports and rule changes; voting on the accounts and voting on Conference Committee

b) motions from the Executive and district amendments dealing with the Covid crisis and its consequences

The OSG also agreed:

c) that the existing Conference Committee be convened to look at timescales for the motions and amendments

d) that proposals providing details around speaker arrangements, timetable for district amendments, standing orders and other relevant matters be brought to the August Executive at which the draft motions would be discussed; finalised on 5 September and then circulated to districts for amendment.

National Executive Members should contact districts in their electoral area to take their views on topics for motions around all aspects of education during the Covid pandemic, the lockdown and emerging from the crisis.

Proposed Rule change on JGS period of office – the JGSs explained that the proposed rule change to allow a GS who has declared their retirement to go beyond the five-term year was based on an error and was not needed. An analysis of the rule book and the law reveals that the five-year term runs from the date the periods of office began; 1st August 2018. The OSG agreed that whenever this rule change comes in front of conference that the Executive should ask the permission of Conference to withdraw the proposal.

Executive meetings – the OSG agreed:

· In the autumn term Executive meetings are held by zoom, in line with the schedule of meetings previously agreed, in order to make urgent and important strategic decisions. To be reviewed by the OSG following each Executive meeting;

· Agreed interim standing orders to be used for the duration of the pandemic;

· The protocols agreed for district meetings are applied for Executive zoom meetings;

· The strategy committees to meet by zoom in the morning of the Executive zoom

Sector and Equality Section Conferences – the various options for agreeing motions and delegate election to be discussed with the sector and section Executive members before final decision at August Executive.

Expenses – the OSG agreed to align the expenses regulations with the financial year and to increase subsistence rates with effect from 1 September 2020 by 2.75% in line with the increase in membership subscriptions.

Union offices re-opening – the OSG received a report on the steps taken to prepare for the re-opening of the Union’s offices, including C19 risk assessments and a workforce audit. No date was yet set for re-opening.

NEU Property Strategy – the OSG agreed the paper and referred it back to GPC for further work

NHF Update – the OSG agreed that the criteria for the Fund could be extended to include multiple claims from members.

Cuba and Palestine Delegations – the OSG agreed to cancel the October delegation to Palestine. Delegates to be offered the opportunity to transfer their place to the February delegation but warned that there is a possibility of further cancellation with a final decision made in October. The OSG also agreed that a final decision on the October delegation to Cuba would be taken by the Executive in August.

Local Financial Regulations – the OSG granted dispensation to Brighton & Hove District to buy IT equipment for two officers above the limit of £500

Joint General Secretaries’ Report

Kevin Courtney reported on the following:

• Members’ confidence that schools are re-opening safely because of the Union’s actions; the Union’s actions have kept vulnerable staff and pupils safe: Government wants to shift blame onto unions away from their almost exclusive mis-management of the wider re-opening of schools;
• Government has failed to engage with the Union; Working with TUC to engage with the Government on the logistical challenges of opening schools more widely; focus on the next steps;
• School census data released that week showed the proportion of pupils in class sizes of 31+ now stands at 13.4% across primary and secondary; secondary class sizes are now at their highest since 2001 – exacerbating logistical challenge of bubble size etc;
• Councillors’ network zoom call on 3^rd July will discuss how local government and unions can work together on a recovery plan for education;
• the Government confirmed that statutory Baseline Assessment will be delayed until autumn 2021 due to the impact of Covid-19 on schools
• New Guidance for black members produced, following reports from Public Health England and ONS which found substantial disparities facing Black people, even when taking into account matters of age, sex, other health conditions and the impact of living in more deprived areas
• 15 June, Black Lives Matter; Keep Hope Alive zoom call, chaired by Daniel Kebede, speakers included the Reverend Jesse Jackson attracted 6,500 people and a further 15k on Facebook; the Union’s anti-racist framework ready to launch; and new guidance for black members produced following the PHE and ONS reports showing disproportionate impact of C19;
• New checklists will be prepared for the new parameters operating in September
• Need for updated guidance for caseworkers on what constitutes safe casework when physical meetings reinstated
• Acknowledgement that workload impact of blended work patterns falls disproportionately upon women members with their additional domestic/caring responsibilities; consider survey of women members

Finance report- The OSG received a report on actual vs budgeted figures for the financial year from 1st September to 30th April 2020 indicating a surplus, expected at this stage given subs take. Some issues under review including legal income (guidance to be produced on retaining legal advice inhouse).

Membership report – More than 25,000 members have joined the union since March.  An overall growth of 9,847 in the union’s total membership, from 440,161 in February to 450,008 in June.   The union’s total membership figure however hides the more important and significant growth of 19,183 in-service members between February and June. Support staff account for 36% of joiners, 64% are teachers and 8% students and trainees.  Between 11 and 17 June 63% of joiners were full-time (33% Standard teacher/lecturer working above 0.6 and 30% Support working more than 21 hours).  Most joiners were primary 61%, secondary 21%, and not applicable (ie. student members) 11%.  More than a third, 36% of new joiners were 34 or under. 

Budget setting – 2020/2021- The OSG received a first draft of the budget for 2020-21.  The final version of the budget will be signed off at the July meeting of the OSG. Tribute was paid to Beccy Reese and the Finance Team for budget exercise.

Hamilton House Refurbishment project – The Hamilton House refurbishment project was paused on 25 March 2020 due to the Covid 19 pandemic. On the basis of the contractors’ C19 risk assessment work, the Joint General Secretaries have approved the refurbishment re-starting on 29 June 2020.  The projected completion date is now 1 March 2021 and there is a  projected additional cost of £24,095 to the project.

NEU Property Strategy – The Executive at its meeting in February 2020 took the decision to sell 7 Northumberland Street.  Due to the delay in the Hamilton House refurbishment project, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, 7 Northumberland Street will be in use for a longer period than originally envisaged. In accordance with the Investment Committee’s recommendation, the Union will review the position of the London property market and take professional advice before proceeding to market the property.  The Advice Line moved to Apex House in December 2017. The team has expanded and is due to expand further when posts currently located in London transfer to Doncaster.  Additional office space is required to accommodate different needs within the teams There are two additional offices adjacent to the current space and the landlord is willing to offer these on the same terms as the existing lease. The OSG agreed to take a second lease at Apex House co-terminus with the current lease.  A decision on expansion of the Northern Regional Office space was postponed until the next meeting pending more detailed modelling of RW office requirements/criteria.  

Branch and District Decision-making – Following the discussion at the last meeting, the OSG received a draft of the advice document for local district and branch secretaries on the use of digital platforms for formal meetings. Feedback from local officers (via the LBDS NC zoom meeting and regional meetings) and from Strategy Committees the previous day was received:

• that the quorum should remain as in rule; a minimum of 10 members from at least 3 educational institutions
• Guidance on holding effective meetings helpful, eg ‘chat’ facility to ensure not used for parallel debate and raising individual issues not appropriate
• No automatic ‘pause’ if individual members drop out
• Run as pilot until end of October with review on operation instituted at end of September

Sector and Equality Section Conferences – The OSG agreed that the sector and equality section conferences scheduled for the autumn term should be postponed and that a paper with options for alternative mechanisms to elect equality section/sector delegates where appropriate and motions to Conference 2021 following discussion with relevant executive seat-holders, OFs and NCs will be brought to the next OSG for consideration and decision.

Last week Wales and London International Solidarity Networks jointly organised and ran an online solidarity event to raise awareness about the refugee situation in Calais. Below you can click on the image watch that event which had some great speakers and also zoomed into the warehouse to talk to volunteers.

Over the last couple of years NEU members have organised delegations to Calais to bring vital donations to refugees living in terrible, inhumane conditions. In October last year Wales joined a delegation for the first time when myself and and Lynne Berezanski (Swansea district) spent 2 days volunteering in Calais.

Unfortunately due to Covid-19 we are not able show express our solidarity by volunteering and taking supplies. However even more serious is that vital supplies and food donations are running out.

London International Solidarity Network set up a fundraiser which raised over £13,000 and many Wales districts generously donated to – these districts include Vale of Glamorgan, Monmouthshire, Ceredigion, RCT and Denbighshire

For details of Care4calais:
https://care4calais.org

Video on past delegations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU2IAp7tzbM

https://bit.ly/2C5R3SC

Joint General Secretaries’ Report

During their introduction Mary and Kevin introduced the NEU 10-point Education Recovery Plan and the OSG discussed the implementation and the way the NEU have so far been on the right side of history regarding decisions made and stances taken. Our 10-point plan for education addresses the needs of all children and young people. Many will be feeling isolated in their homes, so the NEU proposes a summer holiday offer and a focus on children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our proposals are far reaching. They require a significant additional investment in education which is needed to meet the challenges of an uncertain future. The four strands of activity were also noted and discussed:

· local tactics for a national strategy of safety

· winning the NEU’s vision of Education for this term and in September

· winning at the workplace, involving reps, building relevant policy

· the big politics over inequality

Delegations to Palestine and Cuba

The OSG agreed the process for selecting the Executive members of the delegations to Cuba and Palestine. These are still scheduled to take place in October half-term but the International team are monitoring the situation in relation to travel arrangements etc. It is possible that either or both delegations may be postponed until February or October 2021.

For the three Executive places on the Palestine delegation, the OSG agreed to extend the pool of members, originally agreed in May 2019, to all members. A call for candidates would be emailed during w/c 15 June and If an election is required, it will take place from 23-30 June. A similar timetable was agreed to select the place on the Cuba delegation.

District & Branch decision-making

The OSG discussed the position on holding meetings during the lockdown and in principle agreed that due to the ongoing government restrictions on face to face meetings these meetings now need to take place via digital platforms. The OSG considered some initial areas for guidance and have asked for draft protocols to be prepared. There will be a discussion about the guidance and the protocols via the District and Branch Secretaries National Council and through any regional and Wales local secretaries’ meetings that are held during the next two weeks. The draft guidance will be discussed at the strategy committee meetings on Wednesday 24 June so that a final decision can be made at the next OSG on 25 June. The aim will then be to communicate the information to all local secretaries by Monday 29 June and to make it available on the Union’s website. It was noted that there was a variety of practice across regions and Wales in relation to holding

regular meetings with local branch and district secretaries. Avis Gilmore undertook to take this matter forward on behalf of the JGSs.

Formal Conference Business

The formal business of conference consists of the adoption of the Executive report including any rule changes, the adoption of the Union accounts and the election of the conference committee for the following conference. The Rules dictate that Conference should normally be held over the Easter period or at another time provided that no period longer than 15 months shall elapse between annual conferences. In response to a question from the Certification Officer we have already indicated that due to government regulations we cannot meet this rule. The OSG agreed to arrange a zoom conference call with all Conference 2020 delegates to allow for an address by the President and the Joint General Secretaries in conjunction with a postal or electronic ballot of Conference 2020 delegates as soon as possible so that the formal conference business could be completed by the end of the academic year.

It was noted that this would not preclude a special conference to discuss motions, at a later date, should the government regulations allow it and the Executive feel it necessary.

TUC Equality Committees

The Officers met prior to the OSG and having looked again at the process used to reach the decision regarding the TUC committee elections. They agreed that they were not as fully informed of the role they were undertaking, or the details of the candidates, as they might have been. The Officers’ decisions at the time were made in good faith, within the constraints of the circumstances. In hindsight, had the Officers been more fully informed, they might have made different decisions. The Officers fully recognised the upset and discomfort this has caused amongst some of our members. With this additional report, the OSG endorsed the Officers’ decision taken at their meeting on 3 June in respect of the TUC committee elections.

Funding Request – People’s Assembly

The OSG agreed to a donation of £10k in principle, subject to confirmation about the activities to be funded. It was also agreed to offer to publicise the many People’s Assembly events to local officers via the e-Bulletin and other networks.

Funding Request – Education International

In view of the savings made within the international budget as a result of the restrictions on travel and cancellation of events, the OSG agreed to make a contribution of the maximum $10,000 (£8,100 equivalent) to the EI COVID-19 Response Solidarity Fund.

Timing of Strategy Committees and Executive Briefings

In response to feedback from Executive members, it was agreed that the Strategy Committee chairs would review the timing of their meetings and the JGSs would do similarly for Executive Briefings.

Joint General Secretaries’ Report

Welcome successes

Executive, local officers, reps members and staff have all contributed to us winning the argument – without our campaign the following would not have happened:

• 30+ councils declaring no schools will open
• SAGE would not be proposing to publish the science
• The Independent SAGE report tremendously helpful – currently in draft but widely reported
• Johnson would not have made his announcement re track and trace
• 45k members wrote to their MPs last weekend
• 10k membership increase
• 20k members on a zoom call
• the ferocious attacks on the Union by certain sections of the press

National focus

• discussing jointly badged statement with LGA and other unions on the conditions for safe opening of schools
• written to Secretary of State – narrative on where tests have been partially/fully met; offer to participate in high-level task group (govt/employers/unions) – want to work together to ensure safe opening of schools

Next steps for reps and members

• write to MPs
• engage with the checklist with school group and head
• elect a rep if none in place
• if elements of the checklist are not met; notify branch secretary and prepare to challenge head with the support of the school group and the local officer

Next step for Branch Secretaries

• press local authority to declare that 1 June too early for schools to safely reopen – backed by Independent SAGE
• flexible message – LAs should not be pressurising schools to open or vulnerable cohorts of staff to report to work
• call reps meetings to discuss checklist and approach on vulnerable cohorts
• report concerns to RWS

Transition period presents problems for us and we will need to be agile and flexible.  The Union’s secondary checklist would be published (informed by draft DfE document); letters to members with advice on vulnerable categories, black members, the checklist, learning in the summer term and childcare. Separate communications to supply members in preparation.

Finance Report

Report detailing savings on annual conference and other conferences; hotel and travel bookings; cancellation of summer term meetings, events and courses organised by organising and learning department. Our current estimates show a net reduction in budgeted expenditure of £891.5k. The budgeted deficit for the year was £1.054m, so if the assumptions behind the above additional savings and costs are correct and other income falls as per the budget, we would expect a deficit of £162.5k.

Membership Income Report

Concerns and questions were raised at the OSG meeting held 23 April in relation to the financial variance report which showed an adverse variance to budget in membership income.  The financial year 1st September 2019 to 31st August 2020 is the first 12-month financial period for the NEU and the first period where the membership year has coincided with the financial year.  There is no  data to profile the membership income across the year so reports to the Executive on the expected income to date have only been able to look at the profile of income received from September 2019 to the reporting month.  Meeting with the Membership and Equalities Officer, Treasurer and Chair of GPC with data showing the reconciliation of income recorded in the finance department and expected income based on detailed membership status data, also provided a chart showing the membership cash take from Jan 2017.  Forecasting for 2020/21 will improve by:

• Ability to use the actual profile from 2019/20 and adjust through the year
• A quarterly report for GPC showing the reconciliation between membership numbers and income and providing narrative on material variances to budget
• Assumptions for 2020/21 budget are being reviewed and membership number/profile on which income will be based interrogated.

Membership Report

On 11 and 12 May 5,353 members joined the Union.  The number of daily leavers (members who contact the union to resign) has remained steady. Support staff accounted for 36% of joiners, 60% were teachers when adding the different categories together and 4% students and trainees.  Just under half, 47% of new joiners were 34 or under.  The national figure has moved above 450,000 which will adjust downwards slightly at end of month lapse exercise.

Special Conference and District & Branch Operation

Due to time constraints, the OSG agreed to defer these items for a full and informed discussion at the next meeting.  The papers would be revised – informed by Strategy Committee members’ comments and relayed by the Chairs.

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.

https://www.voice.wales/im-a-welsh-teacher-trade-unionist-we-must-stop-the-tories-opening-english-schools-on-june-1st/

I’M A TEACHER & TRADE UNIONIST IN WALES, WE MUST STOP ENGLISH SCHOOLS RE-OPENING ON JUNE 1ST

ON SUNDAY 10TH MAY, BORIS JOHNSON ANNOUNCED THAT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND WOULD BRING BACK MORE CHILDREN ON 1ST JUNE. SINCE THEN, WORKERS IN THE NATIONAL EDUCATION UNION (NEU) HAVE LED A HUGE CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE TORIES EASING LOCK-DOWN IN EDUCATION, ARGUING THAT KEY SAFETY TESTS HAVE NOT BEEN MET AND LIVES WILL BE PUT AT RISK.

MÁIRÉAD CANAVAN IS A WELSH REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE NEU AND IS AN ICT TEACHER AT STANWELL SCHOOL IN PENARTH. SHE TALKED TO US ABOUT THE DANGER OF BRINGING LOTS OF PUPILS & TEACHERS BACK TO CLASS, WHY SHE’S THROWN HERSELF INTO STOPPING THE TORY GOVERNMENT OPENING SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND, AND WHY THE FIGHT MATTERS TO PEOPLE IN WALES.

Thursday 21st May 2020

Why shouldn’t schools open up to more pupils? 

If lock-down is lifted too early that will put vulnerable children, staff and parents at risk. The government talks about children usually not being very badly affected by the virus but they seem to forget that there are adults in school looking after those children, and that these children may also have vulnerable adults at home that they may bring the virus home to. There is also the fact that the numbers may be small, but children have died from the virus too and ethnic minority pupils and adults seem to be especially at risk.

Social distancing is impossible, even in hubs where there are far fewer children and the younger the children, the harder it is to impose distancing. Schools will have to be completely redesigned to be safe. Corridors in secondary schools are usually packed when moving from classroom to classroom and how will lunch and break times be managed?

What are parents saying?

Many parents are very worried about children going back to school too soon and I’ve heard several saying they wouldn’t send their children back before September. Unfortunately the families who would have no choice but to send their children to school are the families who are living in poverty, single parents and those from ethnic minority backgrounds, and they are the ones that are most vulnerable to falling ill with the virus.

So why is the Tory government saying schools must re-open?

It seems clear that behind the push to get primary school children back to school first is the need for childcare so that parents can get back to work. It would be much safer to get older children back in small numbers first and there is more chance of them understanding the need to distance, but the Westminster government’s main aim seems to be getting the economy back on track.

What was the reaction to Boris Johnson’s speech 11 days ago, when he first mentioned June 1st as the day more pupils would come back?

It was a complete shock to everybody really. In Wales the government has been working with unions and they are working towards a framework for opening schools. 

In England however, the unions have been shut out of a lot of those meetings. But it still was a complete shock and it was completely unexpected when Boris said that. So it threw everybody into a huge panic. 

They just haven’t shown us that it’s safe to return. They’re telling us it’s safe but they’re not willing to show us why it’s safe. They need to show us the science and they don’t seem to be willing to do that. Four times we’ve written to them and they still haven’t done it.

Describe the resistance there has been to Johnson’s plans?

The organising has been huge. We’ve had meetings going from a reps meeting last week of 300, to last night an all members meeting and there were 20,000 people on the call. 

I mean we’re recruiting so many new members. We’ve had 10,000 new members since Boris’s announcement, in just over a week. 

And that’s because teachers are terrified, they’re looking to the NEU to show them what we’re going to do next, how we’re going to deal with the next step in the crisis. And the NEU has really stepped up. 

We’re on the front line, leading the way and taking on the local authorities and saying to the government: “No, you know we’re not going to do it. It’s not safe.” We’re fighting for the right to be safe at work.

So what is the mood like amongst teachers now?

I mean teachers want to be back in school, it’s just that we think it’s not safe. A lot of teachers are very worried about the children that they’re teaching. We know that there’s a lot of children who are cooped up in flats who maybe have one computer in a house full of people and we know that some children are in a very bad situation. So there’s a lot of worries. 

A lot of us would like to be back in school but we don’t feel like we should have to put our lives in danger. 

I think there’s a rising sense of anger among teachers at the way that we’re being scapegoated. I mean it’s just not true to say that teachers are sitting at home enjoying an extended holiday, because teachers are working harder than ever actually. 

You know they’re trying to support children with home learning. A lot of teachers have never stopped being in schools or hubs on a rota, and a lot of teachers are struggling trying to home teach their own children as well while they are also trying to support other people’s children. 

So, yeah, there’s a rising sense of anger and that is indicative in how many new members, and how many people are willing to step up to the plate and be a union rep now. We’ve always had trouble with that before, people didn’t really want to raise their heads above the parapet and that’s really changing.

Do you think the Tory Government has been shocked by the scale of resistance? 

Yeah, I think they probably are very surprised. It seems like it’s gonna backfire on them. 

Today the tide seems to be turning and up to 1,500 primary schools in England are expected to remain closed on 1 June after a rebellion by at least 18 councils forced the government to say it had no plans to sanction them. Many other councils still haven’t made a final decision and we’ve also heard that the Justice Secretary is quoted in the Guardian today as saying it’s important to listen to the concerns of councils and teachers. With just 11 days until the government’s schools deadline, the local government association which represents most local authorities in England now appears to be pulling back on a June 1 start saying councils should be able to see up to date figures on local rates of infection.

And why should people in Wales care about this dispute? 

Well, because it could be us next and, and it will be us next. I mean we don’t know what’s going to happen here yet. We do know that the Welsh Government is being more reasonable and taking things more slowly but we don’t know. There could be any number of pressures that suddenly come into play and it could happen here. I’ve no doubt that we could suddenly be told. “Oh well but we have to go back before the summer, we have to go back to the beginning of July.” It’s definitely something that could happen here and so we need to be in solidarity and we need to know what’s going on in England so that we are prepared in case that happens here.

One of our supply teachers from Cardiff, Joao Ruivo, shared a letter that was suitable for Welsh MPs which says “we know this doesn’t affect us but you’re in Westminster so please raise it.” We’re limited in what we can do, but we can certainly make sure that we are raising hell about it and making sure that people are putting pressure from here as well.

Máiréad Canavan represents Wales on the national executive of the NEU. She is also the NEU secretary for the Vale of Glamorgan and is an ICT teacher at Stanwell School in Penarth. She lives in Pontypridd.

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JGS report

• Preparation for the widely trailed Government announcement on Sunday evening
• Various options/scenarios have been circulating but no clarity on Government decision
• Huge support from Parentkind (previously Federation of PTA) survey and their adoption of our five tests
• Shadow Secretary of State cited the Union’s five tests at PMQs; also endorsed by Lib Dems
• Scottish and Wales government announcements helpful
• Immediately following the Government announcement, we’ll circulate survey of members with responses drawn together for media work
• OSG and Executive will meet on Monday; zoom meetings for local officers and reps on Tuesday and Thursday and a members’ town hall call following them.
• Parallel work on international scientific data; developing checklists for reps to ensure compliance the duty of care to ensure workplaces are safe and the five tests; rolled into workplace toolkit; work on longer term implications for education

Operation of the OSG as Committee of Urgency

During the Covid 19 Crisis, the Officer Steering Group will operate as a Committee of Emergency on behalf of the Executive taking any urgent decisions that are required for the continued effective governance of the Union.  The OSG will meet on 21 May, 11 June, 25 June and 9 July. Executive briefings via ‘zoom’ to be held on 11 May, 16 June and 4 July.

Executive by-elections (5.1/070520)

There are four vacancies on the Executive. A timetable for the Black members seat and the District 1 seat was due to be agreed by the National Executive but was delayed by the OSG in March due to the lockdown and social distancing. Subsequently the LGBT+ seat holder and Richard Griffiths (District 14) have resigned. The OSG agreed to delay all four by-elections until such time as nominations can be sought from properly constituted and quorate district general meetings with a provisional timetable for the elections with notification of timetable/call for nominations (and effective date for registration) at 1 September.  District 1 and district 14 members will still have three national executive members from 1 September whilst black members will not have a dedicated national executive member from that date. The LGBT+ seat holder has indicated that her resignation will be effective from the date the elections close which could be seen as disadvantageous to black members.

Regional/Wales Councils and the NHF

The Office had been asked by the OSG to look into whether regional and Wales councils could make contributions to the National Hardship Fund.  Regional and Wales councils do not have the same officer structure as local districts. The elected officers of the Councils are the chair, vice-chair and treasurer. There is no provision in the constitution, or expectation, that any financial decisions would be made other than at the termly meetings. In practice financial decisions are made annually at the summer term meeting when the programme of events and a levy are agreed. As all districts contribute to the finances of the councils, the OSG agreed that a digital meeting with one representative from each of the relevant districts be authorised to agree a donation of up to 10% of their balances to the hardship fund. Prior to this meeting each district should hold a meeting of officers, and any regional/Wales council delegates who are not officers of the district, to reach a view on whether as a district they agree with the regional/Wales council making a donation and if so the maximum amount they would agree to.

Sponsorship & Donations budget

The OSG agreed a donation of £2,000 to Care4Calais.  In addition, they agreed that C19 related funding requests would be collated and considered by the OSG periodically and initially at the June meeting.

Cuba and Palestine delegations

The OSG agreed all eight lay nominations for the Palestine delegation, with a reduction in Executive places by one (with rebalance to reflect membership demographic).  It was agreed that the Cuba delegation would be increased to permit 21 lay members (in accordance with 2019 decision) and to accept all applications, subject to further scrutiny of the two late applications by the Chair of IC and the International Secretary.

Sixth Form College Ballot

The OSG noted the result of the ballot of members in which 52% had voted in favour of accepting the SFCA pay offer of 1.5% from September 2019 rising to 2.75% from April. Whilst the offer does not achieve pay parity with school teachers, the 2020 negotiations will commence shortly and the NEU will be emphasising that the narrow margin in this ballot shows that, with colleges receiving a significant funding uplift from August, NEU members will be determined to secure a 2020 pay agreement which fully restores pay comparability with teachers in schools.

Industrial Action – interim protocol

With the prospect of schools reopening it is important that we are able to respond quickly to emerging issues in the workplace most of which are likely to be related to Covid 19.  The OSG agreed a temporary streamlined procedure to request a formal ballot and subsequent action which would be available on the Local Officer’s portal and signposted in the e-Bulletin.

Survey of Supply members

Results of survey being analysed (2,000 members responding; 91% teachers); will be cascaded to regions/Wales to inform casework support and inform discussions with DfE – meeting scheduled with senior staff.

Operation of Branch and Districts under lockdown

The OSG acknowledged concerns from some local officers about postponement of general meetings issued in accordance with Government advice on large gatherings.  Many branches and districts convening gatherings of members via VC to assess views/take comments. District officers can make decisions within the rules and the financial regulations.   Widespread and effective engagement with members was working well during lockdown, both nationally and locally.  It was agreed that the office would seek to identify specific concerns from districts/branches and ways in which these could be accommodated within rule.