NATIONAL UNION of TEACHERS

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE REPORT

NATIONAL UNION of TEACHERS

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE REPORT

January 2012

Pensions

Meetings continue between the NUT and other Public Services Unions as well as with Government – Mr Gove attended a recent meeting – however there has been little on offer to take negotiations forward, the Government is refusing to budge on the ‘Heads of Agreement’ and the NUT has refused to sign up to these. If we gave way on this we would be agreeing To Work Longer, Get Less, Pay More. Continuing with the campaign is the only choice and the form of future action was debated long and hard during this cycle.

The recent survey of members shows overwhelming support for the NUT principles, campaign and action – we can take heart from this. It is clear that our members feel that the most effective action is joint action with other unions and this is what we will be working towards. It is hoped that other unions can be convinced that a further day of action in March is achievable.

Direct talks are underway with a variety of other unions and the National Executive will meet again in an emergency session on Thurs 9/2/12 to review action proposals. Division Secretaries will have their detailed briefing on the situation on Thurs 2/2/12 – I hope all can attend. Please be prepared to give an honest assessment of our member’s views on future action at this meeting.

Nothing has changed with the Government proposals for our pensions, but the landscape since we balloted our members for strike action has. In light of this we will consult our members individually on the direction of future action. This is not a ballot – our strike ballot remains in force - but we need to ensure that our members are engaged with the future direction of this campaign.

Other Issues:

• NUT web site/generic email has had some changes made to it – sorry I didn’t understand the technical details – there have been teething troubles – please be aware.
• For those of you attending Conference at Torquay – the Working Party on Conference set up at last year has completed its work. A memorandum will be debated at Torquay to change a range of procedures at Conference – hopefully making it more representative and democratic. Several changes will be introduced at the start of Conference this year – via changes to Standing Orders. For ‘old hands’ – don’t be surprised to see these issues discussed twice and be aware that some aspects of usual Conference procedure will be different.
• Pay – we are still waiting for the STRB to appoint a new Chair – we understand that Mr Gove will give the STRB a remit to look at Regional Pay with a 1% national cap on any rise – not good news! Written evidence will be required before Easter with decisions announced during the summer.
• Suggestions that the Standards for Advanced Skill, Excellent and Upper Pay Spine teachers will be done away with a replaced with an all encompassing set of standards – Master Teacher Standards. Suspicions that this will have a knock on effect on pay and future progression of teachers up the pay spine, especially if linked to changes in Performance Management – Watch this space!

• Dave Lyons (National Executive Member) Tel: 01538371320  

Email: lyons265@btinternet.com

January 2012.

Pensions

On Thursday 12/1/12 the National Executive held a special meeting to discuss the Pensions Campaign.

At this meeting the National Executive received an in depth briefing from the GS and DGS on the state of the negotiations and the position of other unions where this was known.

After a lengthy discussion the National Executive agreed a detailed motion that will carry the Pensions Campaign forward. The full text of this can be found on the Union web site and hard copies will be available to Division Secretaries.

To summarise:

The Union cannot sign up to the ‘Heads of Agreement’ because:

• Pension age will rise
• Contributions will increase
• Change to CPI will continue
• Career average pensions will mean cuts in pensions
• No movement on ‘Cost Ceiling’
• Uncertain if members in Independent schools will have access

• So the Union will:

• Seek a meeting with Mr Gove
• Continue legal challenge over move to CPI
• Keep members informed of extent of attack on pensions
• Keep school reps informed and encourage school meetings – to encourage members to complete the on-line survey
• Begin preparation for ballot on non-strike action over wider issues, including work load and changes to performance management
• Work with other unions on a publicity campaign focusing on pension age
• Work with other unions focused on the ‘Fair Pensions for All’ campaign
• Work with other unions who have not signed up to the ‘Heads of Agreement’ to further the Action Campaign
• Brief Division Secretaries at meeting on 2/2/12

Despite calls to name further days of strike action it was not considered appropriate to do this at this stage – we need to gauge the feelings of our members, consider the next negotiation steps and work with other unions.

Can I also take this opportunity to congratulate Linda Goodwin – who will be your next National Executive Member from Easter 2012 – elected unopposed to this role – GOOD LUCK!

Dave Lyons (National Executive Member) Tel: 01538371320  

Email: lyons265@btinternet.com

NATIONAL UNION of TEACHERS

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE REPORT

December 2011.

Pensions

If we were in any doubt about the attack this Government was leading on public services the Autumn Budget Statement made it very clear. A 1% cap on pay for a further 2 years after a pay freeze of 2 /3 years with inflation running at 5+%. This will mean a 15% pay cut for members before the end of this Parliament – can it come soon enough? This does, of course, impact on Pensions. In addition the Autumn Statement announced further job losses (100.000!), regional pay and the end of TUPE arrangements. No mention of a ‘Robin Hood’ tax, No mention of Bank profits, no mention of Directors pay rising by 50%!

The Day of Action on November 30^th was a superb experience. I was in Stoke with 450 other Trade Unionists and the case for fighting on was made by speaker after speaker. I know this was repeated throughout the country in big and small rallies - by the end of the day the Government were floundering, their claims that this would be a ‘damp squid’ shown as yet another lie. Public opinion showed 66% of women support our action as do 80% of young people.

(In confidence – our GS received a death threat after this action as did other Union leaders – this is now a police matter, but J Clarkson needs to be advised to speak only on what he knows – cars?)

Pension ‘negotiations’ have continued – both the GS and DGS have had meetings with Civil Servants this week and more are scheduled for next week. There has been no movement on the ‘cost ceiling’ and this means we pay more – this we can’t accept. There have been suggestions on how we may ‘get around’ linking our retirement age to that of the State retirement age, but it is early days on this. There will be no valuation of our scheme as this has been deemed too expensive. Government tactics seem to be focused on splitting unions away from each other and it is not helpful when other unions suggest we are looking for a way out – we led this campaign from the start and are in it for the long haul – we went in with our eyes open, knowing this war would not be won with a single battle.

Government won the legal battle in the courts over the RPI/CPI changes – we have the right of appeal which we will use. Other unions have not gained this right – again the NUT made the right call.

So the campaign will continue – please make members aware of the Christmas card to Mr Gove campaign – this will keep the issue warm over the holiday season.

In the Spring the NUT aims to survey members to establish the direction of further action – our intent is to focus further action through the TUC. I suspect we will see a further Day of Action before Easter.

Other Issues;

• Changes to Performance Management – these changes are due to be in place for September 2012 and will see the loss of the max 3 hours observation and an emphasis on appraisal rather than development. Ours will be at national campaign with action being taken at individual school level – like the TLR campaign. Email info will be out before Xmas, but there will be postings to schools in the New Year, including articles in the Teacher. Div Secretaries will receive briefing and training materials and this will be a focus of the next Div Secs training in London. Our Workload document will be updated and reissued. Our model policy will be available ASAP – vital that this is adopted in as many schools as possible – we need to get LA’s to endorse our policy! School-reps meetings in the spring will be needed and we are hoping to bring on board other teacher unions.
• NASUWT action – treat this with a little caution. Our members should not be put at a disadvantage – let us know if there are any issues arising from this.
• Forced Conversions to Academy Status – this became law 3 weeks ago, although notes on procedure were only published on Monday. We believe they are targeting 10 areas, but evidence seems to suggest this has already expanded – and may include Stoke! Simply put – if you are in a ‘category’ or fall below floor targets the Secretary of State can now make you become an Academy – subtle or what? Please let Regional Office/HQ know as soon as this raises its head in our areas.
• 6^th Form Colleges – The NUT had already decided to ballot on action over pay and cuts in this sector. Legal advice suggested that 1 ballot would not allow us to have an industrial dispute with both the employers (pay) and the Secretary of State (Cuts); therefore members will receive two ballots for strike action to allow us to target both with our action.
• Conference – you will be aware that Conference 2012 is at Torquay – I hope all Divisions are getting ready for what is likely to be a crucial Easter Conference. For information – venue for 2014 is Brighton and for 2015 is likely to be Manchester.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Dave Lyons (National Executive Member) Tel: 01538371320  

Email: lyons265@btinternet.com

November 2011.

Pensions

In this cycle the National Executive received a comprehensive briefing on pensions from both the GS & DGS. Members were congratulated on the success of the recent Lobby of Parliament – 74% of MPs were seen. The NUT has responded vigorously to the recent Government announcements on Pensions – the examples that ministers used in the media were not accurate, although those used in the DfE leaflets are – if misleading – the amount they show you are to receive is if you retire at 65! Great news that both the NAHT and UNISON have had positive ballots with good turn outs and will be joining the action on 30^th November. Our theme remains a ‘Fair Pension for all’ and further material will be in schools this week.

We must ensure that the 30/11/11 is well supported - please do all you can to get our members engaged and out!

The Governments recent announcements – a publicity stunt – contained 3 features:

• Transitional protection from 2012 – 2022. Yes – a victory, but this does not help young teachers or those new to the scheme!
• 1/60s instead of 1/65s – this is just back to what it is now!
• No more changes for a generation (25 years), but no-one can guarantee this.

• There are no more general talks due – just scheme specific ones. We may see some movement in these talks, but the bottom line is that all proposals will have to deliver the government’s aim to raise huge sums from our pensions – even if this is not justified on cost grounds.

For your info: Our scheme began in 1923 and adding in for inflation teachers have paid in £46.6 billion more than what they have taken out during the life of the scheme!

There is no crisis in our pension scheme.

We are desperately looking for young teachers where these proposals would have the most impact to act as case studies for the press on November. 30^th. Any contacts let me/Regional Office know.

Teachers would pay more for their pension if it could be shown that this is needed, but the government has refused this re-evaluation even though it is a requirement of the scheme – no transparency.

The National Executive unanimously endorsed the continuing of the campaign to protect our pensions and to seek Fair Pensions for All.

On RPI to CPI legal action – after a 3 day hearing we are awaiting judgment – it is due before 30/11.

Colleagues will be aware of the Governments plans on the deregulation of Performance Management, Appraisal & Observation. The National Executive was presented with 3 possible campaign options to fight this and are likely to adopt a campaign that will see school level action coordinated nationally where schools do not adopt the NUT model policy. This campaign will also include an indicative ballot of all members. The Governments model policy due before Christmas has now been delayed. The NUT is keen that this campaign brings together as many partners as possible. The NUT model policy will be out well in advance, before Easter if possible. The NUT Classroom Observation Protocol is available now & goes a long way to supporting members against this ‘Bullies Charter’.

On pay – we are waiting for the appointment of a new chair of the STRB, we can then expect a speedy remit for the STRB with plans to make teacher’s pay more ‘flexible’. Watch this space!

In 6^th Form colleges there is a bleak future of cuts. Recent talks have indicated that employers are not willing to make a pay offer so it is likely that members will be balloted for action on both pay & cuts.

Colleagues may be aware of significant changes being suggested for employment rights which may include payments for Industrial Tribunals and extending the right to access this from 1 years service to 2. The NUT is pursuing this with some vigour. It has also been suggested that TUPE arrangements may be ‘harmonised’ – this may mean rights are minimised. This will impact on members forced into Academies. Consultation is current – another ‘Watch this space!’

Dave Lyons (National Executive Member) Tel: 01538371320  

Email: lyons265@btinternet.com