Members can ensure they do not undermine colleagues in other unions by ensuring that they: do not co-operate with employers if you are asked to confirm in advance whether you will be available to work on the day of a strike. 7. Any obligations in respect of health and safety and the completion of risk assessments rests with the employer and I am sure you will be informed of the number of staff taking industrial action accordingly. Do not forget: the NASUWT remains in dispute with the Government and our commitment remains to pursue all disputes with industrial action with the support of our members. I am an NASUWT activist and have been invited to attend and speak at another union's strike rally. Please see the advice above to members, which covers the factors that should be taken into consideration when arriving at a decision. A long-term supply teacher has a contract with an agency but has been in the same school for three weeks and he should be teaching there until March. If, however, you are employed to specifically provide PPA cover, and not absence cover, then you should not be directed to cover for a striking colleague. Part of that problem is the one year contracts, but that's maybe for another thread. Is this allowed? These public labor unions appeared because the local government was usually considered the employer, and they wanted to get as many resources as possible from their teachers for the least amount of money. In the event of strike action by members of premises, cleaning or catering staff, the headteacher/principal must undertake a risk assessment, in consultation with all staff and trade union representatives, to ensure the health and safety of staff and pupils on site at all times during any period of industrial action. Those states include Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin. Does this mean schools will definitely close for strike days? Wednesday 1 February 2023: all eligible members in England and Wales. With more than 850,000 teachers joining one of the UK's seven main unions, they are a powerful collective body. NASUWT, the Teachers' Union, provides unrivalled protection, benefits and support for teachers, from professional advice and legal support to High Street discounts and free training. For example: an employer can't pressure an employee. If you don't know your TRN, you can contact the teacher qualifications helpdesk to request your number on 0207 593 5394. However, members of staff who are employed to provide cover (for example, cover supervisors) can be directed to cover for their striking colleagues. We are aware that many employers are requesting information from staff regarding their intentions on 1 February. You would need to be satisfied that the work you would be directed to undertake in school/college in the absence of pupils would not constitute any element of work which would normally be undertaken by a striking colleague and also that the work they are being directed to do is reasonable and commensurate with their contract. Teachers can speak out on policy without being afraid of reprisal. When you look at the difference between states with high unionization rates for teachers and those with lower ones, it is the former which tends to produce better and more consistent results. ), If you are an NASUWT member working in Scotland, you can email the Scotland National Centre for support, advice and information. Members are strongly advised not to provide such information if they are requested to do so. These include: When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. If you have received a written instruction you should register your protest, but then comply with the instruction to protect yourself. Most districts will say that their staff will walk out for a single day, but it can also go for an extended time. Known as de-authorization, it allows workers to opt out of joining a union as a condition of . If you operate team teaching on the same day, and your contract states that one partner would take the class on their own in the absence of the other teacher, then you could be expected to teach the class on your own for the whole day. I voted to support strike action and I do not want to undermine industrial action by other unions. Supply and agency teachers can also benefit from NEU membership. Deciding what union you join is typically dictated by the district in which you work. It may be sensible to email your employer on the day to state you are on facility time and are carrying out your normal duties. Heres what everyone should know, https://www.tes.com/magazine/analysis/general/teacher-strikes-pay-schools-qa-everything-you-need-know, school leaders union the NAHT did not achieve the minimum legal turnout threshold in its ballot. 6. Strike action at school: dismissal. Wednesday 1 March 2023: all eligible members in the following English regions: Thursday 2 March 2023: all eligible members in the following English regions: How many staff and schools will be impacted? It is unlikely that any other union would provide legal support and representation for matters that arose prior to you joining them. It certainly often happens that the student teacher will feel a member of staff has taken a dislike to them, and will be on the receiving end of all criticism and no praise. Where NASUWT members have not been instructed to take strike action, they are required to report for work. Where teachers are employed under the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document, however, they cannot be compelled to provide cover for other teachers during industrial action, it says. How do I operate as a head of department if I have a member of my team striking? Pay was only mentioned by 1% . Alternatively, you can subscribe for just 1 per month for the next three months and get: You can subscribe for just 1 per month for the next three months and get: Subscribe for just 1 per month for the next 3 months to get unlimited access to all Tes magazine content. Teachers unions can provide legal protection and advice. What happens if I don't join the union? The political left wants critical race theory in every school district in the nation. Most NHS doctors will not supply this. Resignation dates can be complicated for teachers- check our guide Are you confused about which teachers union to join? The argument for opting out is workers have a right of free association. In a flurry of announcements on Monday evening, the NEU, the country's biggest teaching union, confirmed that teachers would begin strike action over pay across England from 1 February 2023 after the result of its ballot. Due to a change in legislation last summer, schools and trusts are legally entitled to bring in temporary agency staff to provide cover, which was not permitted before. Taxpayers do not receive direct representation during the negotiation process. AFSCME on June 27, 2018 means teachers nationwide are no longer required to be part of a teachers union in order to keep their jobs. When there is a teachers union that supports a school, then it gives everyone an opportunity to push for positive outcomes through public education. By working together in a teachers' union, each teacher can advocate for their own classroom and district while being able to support students at state or national levels simultaneously. They can get on with their own planning and marking. If the elected officials are not experienced in the negotiating process, then the union can achieve costly concessions that drive up the costs of local education. The NEU has said it will hold strikes on: After two years of disrupted education due to the pandemic, every single day spent in school with experienced teachers who know their students makes a difference to a childs development. This will require that a risk assessment be undertaken in anticipation of strike action by other unions. The California Teachers Association (CTA) is the designated union for certified school employees like teachers, counselors, psychologists, librarians, and education support professionals in most school districts in California. My employer has stated that it will accept partial performance and will deduct a proportion of my daily salary for tasks that I refuse to undertake. Well, good luck getting ANYONE to join a union, really! The DfE has published guidance for schools. What should they do on strike day? Where an employer refuses partial performance and sends employees home, members may not be required to undertake any work for the employer during that time. If schools need to restrict attendance, we have asked that those schools prioritise vulnerable children, children of critical workers and pupils who are due to take public examinations (like GCSEs) and other formal assessments. The cost:all teachers who join NASUWT will have free membership for the first year. It is not unusual for a public union to rely on shop stewards or their equivalent to communicate the needs of each location to the general representative body. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. My school has asked that I supply them with information to assist with planning for the strike day on 1 February. If an NASUWT assistant head works in a school where the headteacher/principal and deputy/vice-principal are members of the union taking strike action, they will need to ask the headteacher/principal in advance of the date of the strike what arrangements are being made for the day of the strike. In these circumstances, NASUWT members should contact the headteacher/principal, or an appropriate senior person in the school/college or an appropriate person in the employing authority, if the headteacher/principal is not available. Any attempt by an employer to seek to undermine industrial action by asking NASUWT members to undertake the work of other colleagues would constitute strike breaking and would be unreasonable and unacceptable. You can use the Forgotten? link in the password field if youve never logged in before? The cost:Free for trainee and studentteachers, and then from 183per year, with a 1 offer for NQTs, and a75 per centdiscountoffer for new members not previously part of the NUT or ATL. Your employer will already have been notified by unions taking industrial action of the number of their members who are being asked to take the action. Weve summarised the big seven to help make your decision easier, This website and its content is subject to our Terms and Your employer is required to provide to all staff a risk assessment which confirms the measures that will be taken to keep your workplace safe at all times. What should a supply teacher on long-term supply do on strike day? It is unlawful for any member of the NASUWT to take industrial action where the NASUWT has not given a specific notice to the employer advising that action will be taken. Definition and Examples. If you are anNASUWT member working in Northern Ireland, you can email the Northern Ireland National Centre for support, advice and information. Can I still apply for jobs as an NQT? Some teachers may be on picket lines or may join marches demonstrating for a better pay deal. In many other disputes where NASUWT members are already taking industrial action, members of other unions have provided support with refreshments and supportive comments that help bolster morale. We detected you havent selected to personalise the site. The gains in wages that a union provides will help to offset this cost as well. As you will appreciate, I am under no obligation to disclose membership of a trade union or my intentions on a day of industrial action other than to report to work if appropriate. If the member is ill on the day of industrial action, there is no requirement to submit a fit note until you have been absent in excess of seven days, as individuals are able to self-certify. Tenure gives a teacher an opportunity to avoid the dangers of probation when they gain employment with a public school district. Students will not be able to take the devices home. For more information visitthe NAHT website, Our philosophy of putting teachers first means that we will campaign on your behalf, and support and represent you to ensure that you are recognised and rewarded as a highly skilled professional and have working conditions which enable you to focus on your core role of teaching, leading teaching and learning. Employees who want to vote a union out must circulate a petition calling for a decertification election. NASUWT members should not agree to teaching classes or groups, collapsed classes, timetable changes, supervising classes or groups, providing work for classes or groups, or undertaking any supervision of pupils that would normally be carried out by other colleagues who are taking part in industrial action authorised by their trade unions. Information on the names of NASUWT members is classed as private and sensitive information under the Data Protection Act and may not be provided without the express written consent of the person(s) named. If you don't join the union, or resign from membership, and notify the union that you don't want to pay full dues, the required fee must be limited to the union's proven costs of collective bargaining activities. One of the most common methods for unionized teachers to place pressure on their administration during a contract negotiation is to strike. If a person wishes to leave a union, they can do so at any time. Early decision is a college application that is submitted in advance of the regular decision deadline. There is no requirement or obligation for employees to provide information to their school/college as to whether or not they will be taking industrial action. The headteacher does not need to invent tasks for them to do. The state-wide outlet reported that DeSantis said his administration is working to increase funding for . An NASUWT supply teacher on a long-term assignment would need to report for work to the school where they are undertaking the assignment as they would on any other day. If a school is closed, should NASUWT members be asked to do tasks such as audit resources? The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) has a provision that may be the best kept secret in labor law. It is also possible to belong to two unions, or to belong to a union that has called a strike and decide to not take part in the strike action. The legal position. The responsibility of school and college leaders is to ensure that the school/college can open safely for any pupils and staff who may be on site. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. ThoughtCo. I have facility time on the strike day. Some agreements are enforced for 5 years or more, which can lock all parties into a contract which may not be beneficial. Employment: Some credit unions . Actually, the presidents of the two national teachers unions expressed support for mandatory vaccinations for some public school employees other than those who receive a medical, religious, or other [] What should I do to ensure I dont have pay deducted? Most districts are entrenched with one affiliate and so it can be tough to join another one. If the answer is yes, the deputy/vice-principal may wish to raise with the headteacher/principal the appropriateness of this instruction but must ask for the instruction to be put in writing. This article addresses that question, and explains a bit about Teacher's Unions. In today's lawsuit-happy society, this protection alone can be worth becoming a member. The truth is that members of staff dare not join forces to put forward how their workload is impacting their lives. Members should not be asked to cover the work of colleagues in other trade unions when they are taking part in industrial action. Teachers normally have organized Teacher's Unions. If however you and your job share partner operate a split timetable - e.g. As appropriate, as a HOD you may be required to undertake a risk assessment and identify any additional risk and control measures and present this for sign-off by the school leadership. But before Janus, NEA had recorded 2.45 . Doing so would undermine important principled commitments made by every TUC-affiliated union. These events will be coordinated by union representatives. Every year I ask my college class how many students have seen a high school teacher cry, and most students raise their hands. How to Opt Out of the NJEA. Pregnant women who have notified their employer of maternity leave dates. The salary, insurance package, paid leave, sick leave, grievance process, and other protections exist only because the union negotiated for them. Despite the strikes being planned, the governments new guidancemakes it clear that schools are expected to stay open if possible. Email: [emailprotected], How we use cookies to improve your online experience, email the Northern Ireland National Centre, Local Association Secretary or National Executive Member. If a member of staff who wishes to strike is on maternity, paternity or shared parental leave and wishes to still take part in the strike action, then they should notify their headteacher. Attending rallies could be construed as taking unofficial/unauthorised action and therefore could result in disciplinary action. The goal of a public or private union is essentially the same: to improve the working conditions of each employee, provide them with a grievance system to protect their employment, and ensure that safety is a top priority. For years, public employees in California have been forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment, allowing . They come together as one, speaking for their masses, in order to collectively bargain on matters such as compensation, sick time, and paid time off. Were committed to making education a great place to work, a great place to teachand a great place to learn.. What happens to staff members absent due to parental or maternity leave on the strike day? Pay was only mentioned by 1% . A risk assessment should then be conducted to determine whether the school will be closed to all pupils or partially closed with some classes being excluded for the day. I have refused to undertake the work of a striking colleague and have now been provided with a written instruction to do so. If this isnt possible then the school should be closed. Realistically, though, similar to how there is no guarantee of agency staff being in such supply that they can cover striking teachers, finding other heads, such as recently retired heads, may be a tall order for schools. This would mean further damage to the working conditions of teachers across the board. This Supreme Court decision impacts the union membership for both the NEA and the AFT by eliminating funds they can collect from teachers who are not members of a union. Section 8 (a) (1) makes it an unfair labor practice for an employer "to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7." In a 100+ page opinion, the ALJ said the strikes were protected under the NLRA, not intermittent work stoppages. It is vitally important that as members of the NASUWT, we demonstrate solidarity with other colleagues who are taking part in official industrial action. Please use our Contact Us page instead. (You will need to log in to see your personalised information. Search from thousands of teaching jobs both in the UK and overseas. It is worth noting that as pay will be reduced so will national insurance and tax contributions. If a member of staff is not taking part in the strikes but their school is closed, then that staff member must still turn up for work as usual, and undertake duties as directed by their headteacher. The amount that is deducted will depend on the staff members salary, and whether they are part-time or full-time. When Other Unions Take Industrial Action (Welsh), email the Northern Ireland National Centre, Local Association Secretary or National Executive Member. In the case of the strike announced by the NEU for 1 February 2023, that date is 31 January 31. Some people can even refuse to hand over the portion of dues that would go to these efforts if they do not agree with them. You have the right to: choose to join or not join a union decide to leave or remain a member of a union belong to the union you choose, even if it's not the one your employer. Union membership The government guidance says if this happens, any leader should delegate their responsibilities to another member of the leadership team. The NASUWT, the Teachers' Union, works to protect the status of the teaching profession and deliver real improvements to teachers' and school leaders' working lives. The cost: 117.92 for full-time teachers paying by direct debit. If I refuse a written instruction to undertake the work of other colleagues who are taking industrial action, what are the possible consequences? However, asking them to cover teacher roles is complicated. Can I be directed to cover striking colleagues classes? What is your advice? Short answer: they don't. But striking teachers often receive a bit of financial help during a strike from money they themselves have already paid to their unions. 8. NEU teacher members in Wales also voted for strikes. They are the people who see and understand what students require to maximize their educational opportunities. 70% of the states which do not have teachers unions make up the bottom tier of the U.S. educational rankings. do not agree to undertake supply work on the day of a strike. Teacher resignation dates and notice period. Can a teacher be asked to cover for striking colleagues? My school is expecting teachers who are not taking industrial action to provide remote learning if the school is closed to pupils. This is perhaps not surprising, given that 121,253 members voted yes for strikes and will therefore be expected to take part. Under the law as it is applied today, workers can opt out of paying dues if they opt out of belonging to a union, but they . Pros and Cons of Joining a Teachers Union. There are limited numbers of agency workers and already a high reliance on agency staff across schools, she says. Employees whose state benefits may be affected if they take part in strike action. The presence of a union allows for teachers to advocate for their students, find resources for their district, and advocate for local, state, and national supports all at the same time. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. The countries where there are the highest levels of unionization tend to see the best student outcomes. 5. Members must not cover the work or undermine the industrial action of colleagues who are taking part in official industrial action. How a days pay is calculated is outlined in new government guidance, Handling strike action in schools. Striking will also impact pension contributions and it should be noted that strike days do not count for reckonable service purposes within the Teachers Pension Scheme. Asking more experienced colleagues is also a good way to help make your decision. A hotline staffed by former leaders and regional support. These discussions built on previous meetings and correspondence, including where unions called for an extra 2 billion uplift for schools next year and the year after, which the Government delivered in the Autumn Statement. The presence of the union ensures that any problems that occur in the school or institutional setting can receive a proper review. Definition and Examples, What Is Transnationalism? Mail copies of the letter to your local union and employer. Members employed in schools/colleges cannot be required by law to cover the work of striking workers. A teachers union may not be the most popular supportive structure in the educational world today, but it is a resource which can lead to better learning opportunities. No! There is no requirement or obligation for NASUWT members to advise their employer whether they will be in work or not ahead of the day of any strike action. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. ), If you are an NASUWT member working in Wales, you can email the Wales/Cymru National Centre for support, advice and information. I can't argue that it would help if people weren't willing to come over in droves and these "fly by night" schools hiring them, and to an extent people taking these salaries setting the market price, but it's the school's themselves which . In all other circumstances, members should cross the picket line having assured those picketing that they will not be undertaking the work of those on strike. There is a wide range of existing resources available to support provision on this basis, including those available through the Government-funded Oak National Academy. Mar 12, 2017 If you contribute to NECA, you will get that retirement benefit when you retire. Yes. Teachers do a job that is essential to our society and they do it brilliantly. Despite the strikes being planned, the governments new guidance. These critics want to scrap the contract, throw away teachers' legal protections, and bring teacher unions to their collective knees. Choosing which teachers union to join will dependon your role in your school and your own personal preference. Want to take a more prominent role at your school? The only reason members have been prevented from taking industrial action is because the government has imposed arbitrary rules that prevent you from doing so. Usually, when you join a local union, you join the state and national affiliated with that union. Beyond these headlines, though, there are a lot of questions flying around - chiefly for those teachers taking part in the strike action and the schools they work in. No, staff who are not in the NEU, or who are members of the union but do not want to strike, cannot be compelled to strike. Other than reporting for work, NASUWT members are under no obligation to provide further information to the employer, as the requirement to inform the school of the number of staff taking industrial action rests with the relevant trade union. The past several decades have foisted more responsibilities on them even as they have been given less and less power to decide how best to meet the demands set for them (get those test scores up,. Derrick Meador, M.Ed., is the superintendent for Jennings Public Schools in Oklahoma. There are several reasons that an individual may not choose to join a union. The NASUWT insists that members should not undermine industrial action by other unions. Early career teachers (England) and NQTs (Wales) pay just 1 for membership for the first year after qualifying. The presence of a union allows a teacher to express their thoughts or opinions to their administration without fearing reprisal in some way. Contact should be made immediately with the NASUWT for advice if members have any concerns about the work being allocated to them in school. For more information visitthe NASUWT website. The bigger they are, the larger their voice. Here are seven of the big hitters for you to pick from. is also considering re-balloting members, too, for the same reason. We have developed acentral role as one of the most respected voices in educationin Scotland. It should be noted that these are referred to as voluntary or optional and, as such, there is no requirement for you to respond. By law, there is no requirement or obligation for NASUWT members to tell their employer or headteacher whether they are a member of the NASUWT or whether they will be attending work on the day of a strike. But residents don't bragpublicly, at leastabout their lack of a teachers' union. The presence of a union helps to bring teachers, administrators, and parents together. Pan fydd Undebau Eraill yn Gweithredu'n Ddiwydiannol (Cymraeg), To use this feature you need to be logged in, please login now to continue. We want members to stay with the NASUWT and we believe its in the best interests of members to stay with the NASUWT. If you are on facility time on a strike day, you should carry out your normal duties supporting NASUWT members. What can I do? Below is a form of words that you can use in response to the written instruction: The NFER study asked teachers why they had joined a union and by far the most popular response was "support if there was a problem at work", cited by 72% of teachers. If two job share partners work on the same day and one is on strike, it will depend on whether you team teach or have a split timetable and what is set out in your contract. Union wages are generally higher than non-union wages globally. It is potentially reasonable for an employer to ask non-striking teachers to provide work for pupils they would have taught on a strike day if these pupils are not able to attend school physically. NASUWT, Rose Hill, Rednal, Birmingham B45 8RS We are committed to working together with our sister trade unions to secure the best deal for our members. Last year, almost 30,000 teachers and leaders started a fully funded National Professional Qualification (NPQ).