Category: education

Joint UNISON, GMB and Unite statement on the outcome of their complaint against the NEU

In late 2022, having failed to reach an agreement informally, UNISON, along with the GMB and Unite unions submitted a formal complaint to the TUC about the NEU’s organising activities and recruitment of school support staff.

The complaint alleged that the NEU had actively sought to recruit school support staff and had intervened in pay negotiations (known as the NJC) between the three recognised unions and the local government employers.

This undermined a previous agreement between all four unions around two fundamental TUC principles that require unions not to recruit nor organise in areas already covered by other recognised TUC unions.

Following a TUC disputes panel hearing the TUC issued its judgement the end of March 2023, which has now been presented to the TUC General Council. This upheld all the complaints against the NEU.

The judgement reaffirmed that the NJC unions (GMB, UNISON and Unite) have exclusive bargaining rights for school support staff. It also explicitly stated that, in future, the NEU should take no action that could be regarded as organising activity among these workers.

Please see the full joint statement from UNISON, GMB and Unite for more details.

The article Joint UNISON, GMB and Unite statement on the outcome of their complaint against the NEU first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON welcomes return of further education to public sector

UNISON has welcomed the announcement from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that further education institutions are to be reclassified as public sector rather than private.

Among other ramifications, this means that colleges and their subsidiaries in England will need to adhere to Treasury guidance on senior pay.

Colleges that want to appoint to posts paying £150,000 or more and/or performance related pay of over £17,500 will have to obtain clearance before such roles can be advertised advertised.

Leigh Powell, UNISON national officer for education and children’s services, welcomed this news.

“Those who spend public money should be accountable for how they spend that money and this decision will strengthen this,” she said.

“The further education sector has been subjected to market conditions for too long. This has led to a deterioration in the quality of education that learners of all ages receive.

“Many colleges will not be happy with the decision – particularly highly-paid principals who will now have to justify their large pay packets”.

Ms Powell added: “The next step is to re-establish proper national pay bargaining in the sector to address the years of low pay that has seen pay in further education colleges fall by approximately 35% since 2010, leading to the current recruitment crisis”.

The article UNISON welcomes return of further education to public sector first appeared on the UNISON National site.

MPs celebrate Stars in our Schools at parliamentary drop-in

Above L-R, Sarah Sammons (UNISON teaching assistant), Catherine McKinnell (MP for Newcastle North) and Lynne Wade (UNISON teaching assistant)

Ahead of today’s Stars in our Schools Day, MPs attended a UNISON-run drop-in session at Westminster, to celebrate school support staff and learn more about the issues they face.

UNISON’s annual celebration highlights the amazing work that school support staff do, every day, around the country. They are the caterers, the admin staff, the finance officers, the teaching assistants, the librarians, the ICT technicians, the parent support advisers, and more.

Stars in our Schools is all about recognising their wonderful contributions. And, until 30 November, anyone can nominate a Star – with one winner from each of the 12 regions across the UK being announced in December.

Nominate your Star

Kim Leadbetter (MP for Batley and Spen) talks to Lynne Wade (UNISON teaching assistant) and Nahuel Durante

Kim Leadbetter, MP for Batley and Spen, talks to UNISON members and staff

The event gave MPs, including Liz Twist, co-chair of the UNISON group of Labour MPs, an opportunity to show their support for the celebration, through photo-ops and meetings with UNISON members.

The members, Lynne Wade and Sarah Sammons, who are teaching assistants at a special school in Upminster, and Peter Liddle, who is the schools convenor for UNISON Havering branch, raised concerns to the MPs around schools funding and the financial struggle faced by schools, parents and staff following last week’s budget statement.

Education is still facing cuts

Tam Dhesi (MP for Slough) speaks to Lynne Wade (UNISON teaching assistant), Sarah Sammons (UNISON teaching assistant) and Peter Liddle (schools convenor UNISON Havering branch)

Tam Dhesi, MP for Slough, speaks to UNISON schools members

Support staff are vital to children’s learning and the smooth running of schools. The members highlighted some of the issues that they currently face, as well as talking about the initiatives they have introduced to help colleagues who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, such as signposting to sources of support and well-being events.

UNISON’s national officer for schools, Jo Parry, said: “It was great that the MPs were able to join us and listen first-hand to the challenges support staff in schools are facing.

“But now is the time for action, and for the government to invest in our education workforce for the benefit of all.”

Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, in Westminster Hall holding a stars in our schools placard

Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central

About Stars in our Schools

The article MPs celebrate Stars in our Schools at parliamentary drop-in first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Strike dates set after exam board fails on pay

Staff at exam board AQA are to stage a 72-hour walkout later this week ?that could affect the delivery of thousands of GCSE and A-level results.

The employees, including those involved in organising the awarding of grades, will walk out for three days from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 July in a dispute over pay.

Many of the 180 staff affected say they’re struggling to make ends meet following successive below-inflation pay awards.

Last year, they received an increase of 0.6%?. This year they’ve been offered 3% – another real-terms pay cut, with inflation currently 9.4% and predicted to rise even further.

The workers have been warned they could be sacked and rehired ?on inferior contracts if they don’t accept the offer.

UNISON ?North West regional organiser Lizanne Devonport said: “Workers at AQA have been left with no other option. Pay has been falling behind ?prices for years and 3% isn’t a ?wage rise – it’s a pay cut with costs spiralling. Things are so bad that ?staff ?are fear?ful they’?ll no longer be able to make ends meet.

“Workers only strike as a last resort. They’d rather be doing the job they’re proud of. They don’t want to disrupt students and know how important exam results are to them.

“UNISON membership is growing and our message to AQA is clear – improve the offer or face further action.”

One AQA worker said: “like ‘The wider public don’t necessarily get to see the work that goes on behind the scenes, but we delivered an exemplary service that was required even during the pandemic, and don’t think that is being fairly rewarded.

“We don’t want to disadvantage candidates. We value them and want them to succeed. But we have been trying to get a fair deal for months and have not been listened to.”

Another said: “We’re being pressured to sign a contract without knowing what’s in it. AQA isn’t even prepared to come back to the table to negotiate. It’s making me want to leave.

“AQA doesn’t care about the well-being of its staff. The strike will hurt me financially but I’m willing to do that because this deal is so poor.”

The article Strike dates set after exam board fails on pay first appeared on the UNISON National site.