The NUT Rep is inviting members of other unions, including NUT, PCS, Unison, GMB, Unite, and FBU, to strike on July 10th, 2014. The Rep will discuss global issues in education causing industrial action, such as proposed pension changes and the implementation of new initiatives through G.E.R.M. that have increased workload, monitoring of teachers, and divisive changes to the education system. While not all staff may participate in the strike, the Rep argues that united action is needed to change this system that devalues teachers and creates poor working conditions.

1. I am the NUT Rep.
I have invited members of other Unions who are
also asking members to strike on 10.7.14 because
my understanding is that there’s no school Rep for
those here. You are more than welcome to call a
Rep from the Union that you are part of to meet
with you.
However, I am happy for you to stay in this meeting
in which I’ll cover GLOBAL issues in Education,
which are causing members to take Industrial
Action.

2. Unions that are uniting on 10th July
2014
NUT
PCS
Unison
GMB
Unite
FBU

3. The problem!

4. The problem with G.E.R.M.
Retire at 68
● use SMART boards
● playground duty
● teach P.E.
● implement new initiatives
● school trips

5. The problem with G.E.R.M.
Pension contributions
doubled.

7. The problem with G.E.R.M.
● Forced changes in the curriculum
● The idea that QTS isn’t important or required
● Forced academisation
● Schools being forced to form mini Local Authorities to
make academisation economically viable
● Portability of pay - Heads to pay what they think staff are
worth!
● Increments will no longer be received automatically if
targets are met

8. Rapid changes that are noticeable
● Schools
without a
staffroom
● Breaks &
lunches at
different
times to
stop staff
meeting

9. Rapid changes that are noticeable
● Dividing Unions e.g. NAHT has created a sub-section
for middle management encouraging them to leave
other Unions
● School places crisis caused by handcuffing the LEA
● Tests, tests and more tests
● The use of capabilities disproportionately with women
over 50 and Caribbean/Asian women

10. Monitor, monitor and monitor some more!
Monitoring teachers has become vast and
vague.
Previous agreements and guidelines are being
ignored as schools monitor through
observations, drop-ins, children’s books,
learning walks and more.
This is all part of G.E.R.M.

11. Staff meetings
Staff meetings no longer being led by staff!
Another way to control and limit discussion.
The focus on Training, rather than, being used to enable a
forum to discuss some of the following examples:-
● a policy,
● behaviour,
● exam arrangements,
● the structure of the school day
● concerns

12. Workload in Primary

13. Workload in Secondary

14. Workload vs pay

15. PRP - national concerns
An outstanding lesson, by its very definition, MEANS it
stands OUT!
Are we being set up to fail when schools want 80% -
100% of lessons to be outstanding?
‘Working towards’ or ‘hopes to’ is softer than ‘80%
amount of lessons WILL be...’

16. But they’re getting paid anyway!
We get an increment during our first 5 years
of teaching.
The pay rise is separate!
So when others argue that we’re getting a
pay rise; getting one & not the other is not
the same.

17. What did the last action do for us?
1. Those who are 50 can retire at 60 instead of
68
2. Some will still get their tax free lump sum
3. We’ll be a couple of thousand better off
when we receive pension
4. The STRB are listening and saying no to the
Government - this has NEVER happened
before!

18. Who should stand up for Education?
The older teachers, because they have nothing to lose!?
The younger teachers because they will be working in
the system until, dare I say it? 68!
Staff who WERE senior & respected 2 years ago are
finding themselves on capabilities!
Everyone needs to unite & Stand Up for Education!

19. Fast forward to September 2014
● Schools will receive 1% extra but they will
not have to give it to all staff
● Will cuts result in ALL staff who HAVE met
their targets, NOT receiving a pay increase?
● Ofsted will correlate pay with performance
and seek justification from schools

20. It’s not personal
This is not a fight with the Head of your school!
It’s about changing this system which is being forced on us rapidly!
A system which views staff as worthless and disposable.
Whether you’re going on strike or not; don’t tell the Head! They
will then need to act on the basis that all the members will be going
on strike. This is likely to mean it’s unsafe to keep the school open,
so they will be forced to close it.
Legally, Heads need to give 24 hours notice if the school is going to
be closed.
This action WILL make a difference!

22. Is it worth it?
Look at the net pay you receive each month &
divide it by 30 to get a rough idea of how much
you'll lose on 10.7.14
Is it worth it?
Losing that amount to create better working
conditions?

23. Something to ease a possible burden...
Ask your Union if they have a Hardship
Fund so that you can take part in the
Industrial Action and not feel the pinch.
Clarify how much, if at all, partaking in the
action will affect your pension. If it’s nominal,
is it not worth it?

24. Your pension -
information directly
from Unison

25. I’d like to leave you with
three thoughts...

26. Thought one...
Most people join a Union to get
something FROM it.
If we we're weak & we don't GIVE; we
reduce their chances of helping us
achieve what WE need!

27. Thought two...
If you’re not going to go on strike on
10.7.14, the Government will say that
those who didn't strike, SUPPORT the
Government!
Do you?

28. Thought three...
Your Head will look at how strong the
membership is and evaluate what they
can or can’t get away with.