As we come to the end of this half term, we wanted to provide you with an update. We appreciate how hard you have worked this half term and we thank you for everything you have done and continue to do.
A Better Deal for Teachers and Teachers’ Pay Ballot
You will have seen our recent email communications confirming that the NASUWT will be moving to ballot our members in schools and sixth form colleges in England, Scotland and Wales on the failure of governments and employers to give teachers a fully funded pay award of 12%.
The national ballots in England and Wales will commence on Thursday 27th October 2022 and close on Monday 9th January 2023 and the NASUWT is recommending that members vote ‘YES’ ‘YES’ in support of strike action and action short of strike action. The NEU and NAHT will also be conducting similar ballots of their membership to consider strike action.
In preparation for the opening of the ballot, we have been hosting virtual briefings for our members in Coventry this week. If you managed to attend one of the briefings this week, we appreciate your attendance.
The briefings provide an update on our campaign for a Better Deal for Teachers and the ballot for Industrial Action on Teachers’ pay. They also provide an opportunity for members to ask any questions/concerns they may have so it is imperative you attend one of the briefings.
We will be holding further virtual briefings after the Half Term break. The sessions last 30 minutes so please register to attend one of them.
Tuesday 1st November 2022 at 4.00pm – See the email for the link to register
Tuesday 1st November 2022 at 6.00pm – See the email for the link to register
Wednesday 2nd November 2022 at 6.00pm – See the email for the link to register
Thursday 3rd November 2022 at 4.00pm – See the email for the link to register
We will be opening the briefings at 3.45pm on Tuesday and Thursday for our Reps/Contacts to join us for a mini briefing in advance of the full member briefings.
We will be holding further briefings for our Reps/Contacts so if you are not a current rep or contact and would like to become one, then please get in touch. We will advise on how you can carry out this role and access the training.
We are also asking our members to become Ballot Contacts to support us with the ballot in your school/workplace if you do not have a rep/contact. If you are interested in helping us with this, then please get in touch.
We have been clear that the decision to ballot members on industrial action and to take out a trade dispute with the Government, local authorities and employers is not one that we take lightly. We have done everything possible to seek a resolution and remain committed to doing so. Governments and employers are seeking to impose an insulting below-inflation pay award of 5% when inflation is running at double that rate.
Over half (56%) of UK adults including parents say teachers would be justified in taking industrial action if they were given a pay rise below inflation according to polling carried out on behalf of NASUWT.
Teachers need and deserve a fully funded pay award which will enable them to weather the current cost of living pressures and which will begin the process of restoring salary levels.
Watch our General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach set out more about our campaign to secure a better deal on pay for teachers and why we need ministers to address teachers’ pay, conditions and workload. Please share these videos on your Social Media platforms to spread the message far and wide.
If you have any concerns or questions about the ballot please consult the FAQs which explain more about why we are intending to ballot members, who will be balloted and the timing of the balloting process.
Keep up to date with the campaign and the ballot via a dedicated section on our website.
Membership Records
In preparation for the ballot, it is crucial that we hold the correct membership details for you particularly your home address, personal email address (not workplace email), Phone Number and workplace. If you need to update your details, you can do this by logging in to e-membership on the NASUWT website, completing this webform or by emailing membership@mail.nasuwt.org.uk.
Teachers’ Pay 2022
NASUWT (alongside ASCL, NAHT, NEU and Voice Community) has produced Joint Union advice for employers and local authorities on teachers’ pay in 2022/23 now that the STPCD 2022 has recently been published after a period of consultation. The STPCD is the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document and is updated each year to reflect changes that are being made to Teachers’ pay and conditions.
The pay offer of 5% has now been confirmed and it is not fully funded. The NASUWT alongside other unions and organisations has written to the government to request additional funding for education.
The Union has also written to the government to raise a trade dispute and to confirm that the Union will be balloting members for industrial action on a failure to offer a pay award of at least 12%. Notification of the trade dispute will also be sent to employers and local authorities prior to the ballot opening next week.
We have shared the Joint Union advice with employers and HR providers alongside the Pay Bulletin issued in July 2022 and subsequent Pay Bulletin in September 2022.
The NASUWT expects all employers (Local Authorities and Multi Academy Trusts) to consult on any changes to their pay policies with all recognised unions. However, due to the trade dispute with the Government, local authorities and employers, NASUWT representatives and negotiators are not authorised to reach local agreements with schools or employers which do not satisfy our demands for an at least 12% pay award this year. This is really important, if you have any concerns about this, please contact us for advice. We also ask you to contact us for further advice if schools are consulting on pay policies or pay settlements that are not in line with the STPCD 2022.
On Pay Progression and Teachers Appraisal, we have been clear to employers in the Joint Union guidance that pay progression should be honoured for all members unless you have been in a capability process.
The updated STPCD also confirms that the academic year 2022/23 has been reduced to 194 days from 195 and the directed time has been reduced from 1265 to 1258.5 hours to account for the Bank Holiday for the Queen’s funeral.
COVID-19 advice and guidance
As case rates in our community are rising during this term, this is having an impact on our schools. We are raising this with employers including the Local Authority and it is important that schools continue to review their outbreak management plans and risk assessments including individual risk assessments (i.e. VERAs) on a regular basis.
These reviews should consider local data and be in line with any local advice. Schools should also consider safety mitigations that may be required and/or safety protocols that may need to be reviewed.
The Local Authority in conjunction with Public Health have produced general guidance for schools and specific checklists for Primary and Secondary schools and early years settings to use which have been shared with employers (See the email for links to the checklists). The NASUWT has also recently updated the Covid-19 Health and Safety Checklist for members to use.
Our latest advice and guidance for members on Covid safety can be found at our Coronavirus Hub. Also, visit our Frequently Asked Questions section for answers to common work-related questions.
The NASUWT will continue to work with employers at local, regional, and national level to represent and protect the interests of our members.
Long Covid survey
Two million people in the UK are now experiencing Long Covid. The TUC wants to know how it impacts on working people so better support can be provided.
If you have experienced Long Covid complete the survey
Local Association Officers 2022/23
We currently have vacancies for the roles within the Local Association. We really need members to get involved in the work of the Local Association so if you are interested in undertaking any of these roles, then please complete the nomination form in the email and send to office@nasuwtcoventry.org.
Local Association Meeting
Our Local Association Meeting held on Tuesday 4th October 2022 was well attended and we thank members who joined us either virtually or at physical locations hosted by our Reps/Contacts in schools/workplaces.
We also appreciate the support from our Reps/Contacts in hosting physical meetings and dialling in. We thank the Reps/Contacts who have returned the Meeting Attendance Sheet signed by the members and remind those who haven’t yet to do so please. We are required to send the attendance sheets to the National Union to confirm attendance.
Our next Local Association Meeting will take place on Tuesday 7th March 2023 starting at 4.00pm as a hybrid meeting. If you have any suggestions for topics, you would like to see discussed at the meeting or have any feedback about the previous meeting then please get in touch.
Click here for dates and details of our local meetings taking place this academic year.
Annual Conference 2023
You will have received an email from our General Secretary, Dr. Patrick Roach on 1st August 2022 about being a delegate at the Annual Conference in Glasgow which is being held from Friday 7th April to Monday 10th April 2023. Please follow the instructions in the email if you would like to attend and complete the nomination form in the email.
Leadership
We’d like to hear the views of senior leader members on managing school and college budgets at a time of rising costs for essentials such as energy. See the link in the email for the survey.
Sixth Form Colleges
Sixth form college members are urged to take part in our survey on pay and the cost of living to inform our negotiations on the next pay offer. See the link in the email.
Health and Safety
Asbestos and HSE Surveys
We have been made aware that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are carrying out inspections to assess the management of asbestos in schools across the country during the months of September and October 2022.
We are aware that the Local Authority has recently issued some guidance on the management of asbestos, the HSE visits and has also highlighted the duty to manage training courses for Head Teachers. The Asbestos Policy and Guidance for the management of asbestos has also recently been updated and we are aware that this has been shared with schools.
For employers, we have shared guidance, expectations around the management of asbestos, updating the register and relevant policies and the potential inspections.
It is crucial schools have regularly reviewed and updated policies, an asbestos register, asbestos management plans, guidance and training on asbestos and that this is shared with our members.
More information on the inspections
Asbestos Advice for NASUWT Representatives
Excessive Temperatures
July 2022 saw the UK’s first ever Red Warning from the UK Met Office warning us of excessive temperatures and heat on Monday 18th July 2022 and Tuesday 19th July 2022 and this resulted in a national emergency being declared.
We shared our guidance with members and employers including the local authority over the weekend before to ensure that the school leaders undertook risk assessments and put in place appropriate mitigations which may have included full or partial closures. As part of lessons learned for employers and the local authority, we are asking members to complete a survey. See the email for the link to the survey.
Accident reporting and near miss reporting
All workplaces are required by law to have reporting systems for accidents and near miss incidents. This includes the reporting of more serious accidents to the HSE which is known as RIDDOR. It is important for members to be aware of the systems in place for reporting any accidents or incidents in your workplace including any near misses. We are requesting members ensure they are aware of reporting arrangements in your school/workplace.
Schools//Workplaces should have Health and Safety Committees in place where these issues are discussed including any other issues relating to Health and Safety. Some of the areas of discussion can include risk assessments, infectious diseases, asbestos, stress and workload and sickness absence.
These committee meetings are attended by Union Health and Safety Representatives, so if you would like to become a representative for your school/workplace please get in touch. We offer training and support for this role.
If you need any advice or guidance on this, please contact us.
Menopause is a workplace issue.
Have you been affected by the Hormone Replacement Therapy shortage?
Our recent menopause survey found significant gaps remain in awareness and support for teachers in the workplace. We are lobbying for mandatory menopause policies and training in schools and colleges and working with the local authority and employers in Coventry on this.
We also have advice and resources available for members.
Redress secured after workplace accident
We have helped secure redress and justice for a member who developed serious physical and psychological injuries after being knocked unconscious in an accident at school.
Legal and personal injury cover is just another good reason to be part of the NASUWT.
Monkeypox advice
Guidance for members on the current Monkeypox outbreak
Equalities
Black History Month
Throughout October 2022, the NASUWT is celebrating Black History Month by talking to Black* teachers about their experiences as teachers and members of the NASUWT.
We want to recognise the significant contributions that teachers make to society with Black* heritage and how their history is integral to mainstream narratives.
Marking Black History Month is a series of presentations by expert speakers hosted by the NASUWT.
We also encourage Black* teachers to be involved in the Union’s work including the West Midlands Black* Teachers Network and the West Midlands Regional Equalities Sub-Committee.
Find out more
*The NASUWT uses the term Black in a political and inclusive sense to describe those who self-identify as African, Caribbean and Asian identities and those with a common and direct history of racism, racist oppression and diminished opportunities in today’s society.
Supporting members with disabilities
Our rescheduled Disabled Teachers’ Consultation Conference is now taking place on Saturday 12th November 2022, offering members with disabilities advice and support.
This is a hybrid event, offering members the choice to join us in person in Birmingham or login online.
Find out more
Training and CPD
Please visit our website for details of all Training and CPD courses available.
Learning at Work with Coventry City Council
A Learning at Work Week was held last week by Coventry City Council to help colleagues learn new skills and which featured a range of session, including Financial Wellbeing Workshops, Presentation Skills Training, Mental Health First Aid, Virtual Reality Demonstration, Family History Workshop and Imposter Syndrome Training.
The sessions were open to Coventry City Council employees but we will share a link to the sessions once available so all members can access.
Coventry City Council and the Trade Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) have signed a Lifelong Learning Agreement – more details can be found in the email.
We would like to encourage other employers to commit to lifelong learning so if you would like to become a Union Learning Representative (ULR) to support this work for your school/workplace then please get in touch. We offer training and support for the role.
New Teachers
If you missed our programme of summer advice and training webinars, many are now available to watch again.
Catch up on our webinars for new teachers which included advice on induction, mental health and more or get up to speed with our topical CPD and advice webinars including ‘An Introduction to Unconscious Bias’ and ‘Restructuring and Redundancy’.
Early Career Teacher Seminar – Saturday 14th January 2023
9.00am – 4.00pm – Hillscourt Education Centre
Following our highly successful events for new teachers in July and August, we are taking forward the commitment to provide another opportunity for our newly qualified members to come together for professional training and to share their experiences during their induction year.
Click here for more information and to book a place
We will be away from the office over the half term break, but we wanted to assure you that NASUWT is still operational through Headquarters and the Regional Centre throughout the holidays and the following information should help you:
- In order to ensure you continue to have the most up to date information, we would ask that look at the website in the first instance. If a general query relating to schools is not answered on the website, then please contact the Member Support Advice Team at advice@mail.nasuwt.org.uk and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
- If you require urgent support, we would ask that you email rc-westmids@mail.nasuwt.org.uk with the necessary details.
- Criminal Support – Throughout the holiday period NASUWT members requiring urgent legal assistance because of a criminal allegation being made against them which is related to their teaching employment should contact Thompsons Solicitors on the following freephone number 0800 587 7530.
The Union will keep you informed of developments, and you are requested to please continue to monitor your emails and the NASUWT Coventry (www.nasuwtcoventry.org) and NASUWT websites (www.nasuwt.org.uk) for updates.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for help, advice, and support by emailing
advice@mail.nasuwt.org.uk.
We wish you a safe and restful half term break.
Stay safe.
NASUWT Coventry 