The NUT is a proud member of the Trades Union Congress, and the wealth of thorough and useful research material justifies our continued involvement.
As the politicians and tabloid press continue to tell us that the cuts are inevitable, the TUC has produced materials that help trade unionists challenge the myths.
All Pain No Gain looks at what cuts are being planned, how the proposals will damage public services and the economy, will hurt the most vulnerable, and draws on the experiences of other countries to spell out an alternative to the Coalition Governments plans.
TUC Public Sector Pensions Briefing looks to explode the myths about the pensions which we and our schools pay significant sums for. Critics who say that public sector pensions are unaffordable or out of control often misrepresent the figures by presenting pension commitments that go decades into the future as an enormous final demand bill that has to be paid all in one go, says the TUC. The truth is that public sector pensions now cost around 1.5 per cent of GDP and while this is forecast to slowly rise to 2.0 per cent over the next twenty years it then falls slightly. Public sector pensions cost less than state pensions and long term care, which are also set to increase as the population ages.
Unlike in Britain's boardrooms, top public servants are all members of the same pension scheme as other staff. The majority of public sector pensioners receive a modest pension of less than £5,000 a year. The average local government pension is just £4,000 a year and half the women on NHS pensions get less than £3,500 a year.
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Executive Report: June 2010
The full executive met on 17th June
Christine Blower opened her report with the observation: "A lot has happened since we last met..."
On the Coalition Government's Academies Bill, Christine pointed out that the Bill cannot get Royal Assent until September. A number of amendments are being placed by Labour and Lib Dem peers- particularly on SEN provision, local consultation, the ability of schools to return to the Local Authority, the proposal to make Academies "exempt" charities etc. It seems highly unlikely that the Bill that is passed will be the same as that which is currently published- so schools that have started the fast track process will have done so on a false prospectus. The Report Stage of the Bill will be on the 7th July, and then there is likely to be a big push to pass the Act into law when Parliament reconvenes (early) in September. You can read our briefing to MPs and Peers here.
Christine welcomed the large amount of joint material we have produced for schools in partnership with the NASUWT, ATL, Unite and Unison. There is currently great optimism about working together on this issue. While there are always going to be discussions about content and emphasis, there is a big prize to be won through co-operation.
Christine told us that it is vital we debunk the Government's propaganda about an enthusiasm for academy status from head teachers. The Government is claiming that 70% of "outstanding" secondary schools have expressed an interest. However, all enquiries and responses to the Department for Education's e-mail on the subject are being counted as an expression of interest- many of these schools have no desire to go down the Academy route.
The NUT and others have applied under the Freedom of Information Act for the names of schools who are deemed to have expressed an interest- this was released and can be viewed here. Please visit the site and see if any of your local schools are listed. Christine noted the Government's reluctance to release the information: is applying for Academy status seen as some sort of "shameful secret ?"
Roman Catholic dioceses appear to be strongly discouraging their schools from going down this route, and the National Governors' Association is providing detailed advice, which is generally advising caution.
Michael Gove is expected to make announcements on Free Schools- and it is important that we keep up our campaigning on this issue in tandem with the Academies campaigns.
Christine reported that there is likely to be a change to the cycle of TUC Annual Congress- to a biennial model, with a much smaller gathering in alternate years. The Prime Minister, David Cameron will be invited to speak and take questions at this year's Congress. Christine also commended the TUC's research document "All Pain, No Gain" which explores alternatives to the cuts package, looking at the experience of other countries during the financial crisis.
Christine noted the abolition of the GTC. Whatever we thought of this, she pointed out (in response to communication from the civil servants union) that we are concerned about the treatment of workers in the organisation as it is wound up. Points were made about the danger that the failure of GTC would end the desire for genuine self-regulation of the profession. It was also noted that the scandalous decision not to bar teacher and BNP activist Adam Walker (who was posting racist material to the Internet from his school computer, during lessons) did not do anything to generate enthusiasm for GTC's regulatory function !
Christine noted with sadness the coalition government's decision to abolish the Future Jobs Fund, which will have devastating effects on youth unemployment. She noted that we share a keen interest in this along with our FE colleagues in UCU.
We were again reminded that pay and pensions were very much in the sight of the Government, and we would have to be prepared to campaign vigorously to defend our members.
Christine was asked whether the Union would consider legal challenges to the fast track applications for academy status. Christine noted that these applications had been made before the law allowed, and that the validity of applications would be questionable if the wording of the final Bill is changed through the Committee stages. Christine urged all members to keep Hamilton House up to date with any local Academy applications- details to your Division Secretary and also to HQ at academies@nut.org.uk
A member of the Executive raised the ongoing SATS campaign: Christine acknowledged that we need to keep building. It is important that we revise the successes and the lessons from the campaign so far- clearly the will of members is that the SATS should never happen again, and staff should not be teaching to the test through year 6. We will be surveying our leadership group members to get a full and accurate picture of their views.
In other business, there was a debate about International policy regarding Israel. The executive expressed its outrage at the recent Israeli attacks on aid ships, and reaffirmed our policy in this area, in line with that of the TUC. The motion also urged us to continue working with both the Israeli and the Palestinian teachers' unions.
Christine Blower opened her report with the observation: "A lot has happened since we last met..."
On the Coalition Government's Academies Bill, Christine pointed out that the Bill cannot get Royal Assent until September. A number of amendments are being placed by Labour and Lib Dem peers- particularly on SEN provision, local consultation, the ability of schools to return to the Local Authority, the proposal to make Academies "exempt" charities etc. It seems highly unlikely that the Bill that is passed will be the same as that which is currently published- so schools that have started the fast track process will have done so on a false prospectus. The Report Stage of the Bill will be on the 7th July, and then there is likely to be a big push to pass the Act into law when Parliament reconvenes (early) in September. You can read our briefing to MPs and Peers here.
Christine welcomed the large amount of joint material we have produced for schools in partnership with the NASUWT, ATL, Unite and Unison. There is currently great optimism about working together on this issue. While there are always going to be discussions about content and emphasis, there is a big prize to be won through co-operation.
Christine told us that it is vital we debunk the Government's propaganda about an enthusiasm for academy status from head teachers. The Government is claiming that 70% of "outstanding" secondary schools have expressed an interest. However, all enquiries and responses to the Department for Education's e-mail on the subject are being counted as an expression of interest- many of these schools have no desire to go down the Academy route.
The NUT and others have applied under the Freedom of Information Act for the names of schools who are deemed to have expressed an interest- this was released and can be viewed here. Please visit the site and see if any of your local schools are listed. Christine noted the Government's reluctance to release the information: is applying for Academy status seen as some sort of "shameful secret ?"
Roman Catholic dioceses appear to be strongly discouraging their schools from going down this route, and the National Governors' Association is providing detailed advice, which is generally advising caution.
Michael Gove is expected to make announcements on Free Schools- and it is important that we keep up our campaigning on this issue in tandem with the Academies campaigns.
Christine reported that there is likely to be a change to the cycle of TUC Annual Congress- to a biennial model, with a much smaller gathering in alternate years. The Prime Minister, David Cameron will be invited to speak and take questions at this year's Congress. Christine also commended the TUC's research document "All Pain, No Gain" which explores alternatives to the cuts package, looking at the experience of other countries during the financial crisis.
Christine noted the abolition of the GTC. Whatever we thought of this, she pointed out (in response to communication from the civil servants union) that we are concerned about the treatment of workers in the organisation as it is wound up. Points were made about the danger that the failure of GTC would end the desire for genuine self-regulation of the profession. It was also noted that the scandalous decision not to bar teacher and BNP activist Adam Walker (who was posting racist material to the Internet from his school computer, during lessons) did not do anything to generate enthusiasm for GTC's regulatory function !
Christine noted with sadness the coalition government's decision to abolish the Future Jobs Fund, which will have devastating effects on youth unemployment. She noted that we share a keen interest in this along with our FE colleagues in UCU.
We were again reminded that pay and pensions were very much in the sight of the Government, and we would have to be prepared to campaign vigorously to defend our members.
Christine was asked whether the Union would consider legal challenges to the fast track applications for academy status. Christine noted that these applications had been made before the law allowed, and that the validity of applications would be questionable if the wording of the final Bill is changed through the Committee stages. Christine urged all members to keep Hamilton House up to date with any local Academy applications- details to your Division Secretary and also to HQ at academies@nut.org.uk
A member of the Executive raised the ongoing SATS campaign: Christine acknowledged that we need to keep building. It is important that we revise the successes and the lessons from the campaign so far- clearly the will of members is that the SATS should never happen again, and staff should not be teaching to the test through year 6. We will be surveying our leadership group members to get a full and accurate picture of their views.
In other business, there was a debate about International policy regarding Israel. The executive expressed its outrage at the recent Israeli attacks on aid ships, and reaffirmed our policy in this area, in line with that of the TUC. The motion also urged us to continue working with both the Israeli and the Palestinian teachers' unions.
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