Resolution of the Executive: January 2012

Following discussions at the Executive Meeting IT WAS AGREED THAT:

• that the Union cannot agree to the “heads of agreement” document because there has been no movement on any of the key areas the union has identified:
  - Normal pension age in the scheme will rise to 68 and even higher. (Teachers who leave before that age will face substantial reductions in their pension entitlements)
  - Contributions will increase by 50%
  - The change to CPI will remove a further 15% of scheme value
  - The introduction of career averaging will lead to further cuts in pension value for a big majority of teachers.
  - There has been no movement on the cost ceiling.
  - It contains no reassurances that teachers in Independent schools will continue to have access to the pension scheme.


• That the Union seek a meeting with Michael Gove and other willing unions in particular to press on the contributions and the age of retirement in particular. (Initial responses suggest that he is not currently willing to meet us outside the official negotiations ! DB)


• That the Union appeal against the high court ruling on CPI/RPI (This has already been actioned)


• That the Union should immediately begin polling members via email on their view of the Government offer – following materials from the Union indicating that the Union’s position is that it does not go anywhere near far enough.


• The Union will write to school reps informing them of the details of the offer – and the other points in these recommendations and urging them to call school meetings to discuss it and ask members to respond to the NUT on-line survey.


• In the light of Michael Gove's statement on 12th January on performance management and its implication for teacher workload, the executive reieterates its decisions taken in relation to action over the changes to the performance management arrangements in England, and recognises the need for further consideration of action over workload.


• The Union will propose to other unions a joint program of publicity and action to continue to campaign for improvements in the pension including by putting forward a petition on the Government website calling for teachers and other public sector workers not to be expected to work to 68 years.


• That the Union will continue to work with the National Pensioners Convention, public sector and private sector unions and through both the Public Sector Liaison Group of the TUC, and TUCG to develop the campaign around fair pensions for all.


• The Union seek urgent talks with other unions that have not signed up to the Heads of Agreement to press the case for joint campaigning and further strike and non-strike action.


• That the the Executive assess all aspects of the campaign at its meeting on 26th January including the possibility of identifying dates for further strike action in conjunction with other unions


• That a divisional secretaries meeting be held on 2nd February to discuss the developments in the pensions campaign and the campaign around performance management and other workload issues, and to take reports from divisions on any meetings that have been held prior to this.