So, for those who are interested, here’s a bit of a summary of the NEU zoom call today. This was a call for members about the section 44 action they are proposing- I think the stream will be available on youtube for anyone who really wants to watch it.
Obviously this is mainly of interest for teachers and education staff, but I think some of it has a wider relevance.
Key points for education staff:
The NEU does not believe it is safe for teachers in primary or early years settings to go back to teaching full classes tomorrow. This is in light of the new strain of coronavirus, and the lack of safety measures in schools. They made the point that teachers, support staff and heads have unfortunately died over the Christmas period.
They suggest the following actions:
Read the letter and advice on the NEU website, found here:https://neu.org.uk/january-advice
Consider the advice from SAGE about the impact of school openings on the wider community.
Consider the papers published by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical medicine and Imperial which say school openings are not safe.
Send the letter to your head.
Sign the petition here and encourage your friends, families and others to sign it:
https://neu.org.uk/january-advice
This is not a strike action, as we will still be available for work remotely, and we will still go into school to supervise key-worker and vulnerable children. We are specifically saying that it is not safe to teach full classes at this time.
The initial position is that we should refuse to do this for the first two weeks of term, at which point there will be a review.
They acknowledge the position in special schools and alternative provision is more complicated, but they support members in sending the letter in these settings too.
The NEU’s position is also that the government advice on working from home if you can means that staff shouldn’t be expected on site for INSETs or to deliver online learning. This applies to all settings, including secondary schools.
There will be a further meeting about secondary schools on Tuesday.
This is the position for at least the first two weeks of term, after which the NEU plan to review their position (assuming we have more evidence about the new strain then).
They believe that there won’t be comeback from heads over this. NAHT and ASCL have both advised their members not to tell their staff that schools are safe, as this isn’t a position that can defended legally.
A few admin points:
- Groups of members can send letters together, but as it’s an individual action, everyone should sign in their own name.
-As it is not a strike, and we are not withdrawing our labour, we should be paid in full.
-Because of the above, it should not affect NQTs or trainees in qualifying.
-Non-members who work in schools can send the letter. Unison have their own version of the letter available. The NEU obviously urge people to join, though!
-The letter can have more general applications to other workplaces, but the NEU are not able to advise on this. They believe they have a solid, scientific basis to prove schools are unsafe- to challenge the action, the government or individual employers would have to prove their schools are safe for staff and the wider community.
-CEV school staff should not go into school for any reason and should work 100% from home.
-CV staff and those with CEV family members should only go into school if they have medical grade PPE and can ensure social distancing at all times.
On testing:
-The NEU have significant doubts about the testing regime proposed for schools.
-They have doubts about its possibility logistically and its efficacy.
-They believe many cases will be missed and this will actually make schools and the wider community less safe.
-Teachers and school staff should not be involved in testing as they have their own jobs to do.
On exams:
There are BTEC exams due to run next week in many schools and colleges. The NEU has no desire to stop these going ahead, but staff should only be involved in the running of exams if they believe they are safe (i.e. adequate PPE provided, social distancing observed).
The NEU believe that schools opening next week would be unsafe for school staff and the wider community. They urge their members to be brave and take steps to protect themselves, their colleagues and the rest of society.