New school year, new materials, new challenges

The new school year is beginning and UNISON in schools has been working hard over the summer to produce new materials and updating existing guidance and materials in time for it. We have also updated the schools pages on the website and included information on the learning and training opportunities for school staff members. It’s important for activists to remember that only UNISON has the knowledge, expertise and experience to represent school support staff. And our intention is to make it clear to members and potential members what UNISON has to offer. ‎ Recruitment materials from new teaching union the NEU (National Education Union) recently formed by ‎the NUT (National Union of Teachers) and the ATL (Association of Teachers and Lecturers), might tempt some support staff. However, school support staff need to know that the NEU is not a recognised union for support staff for national pay negotiations or negotiations in council maintained schools. Additionally, the model TUC agreement for negotiating in academies lists the NUT and ATL as teaching unions – and not recognised for support staff. UNISON is currently negotiating an update to the TUC brokered agreement that made it clear that ATL should not actively recruit support staff – this will be extended to the NEU. If you become aware of recruitment of school support staff ‎by the NEU, please email us and we will take the issue further. We know that the autumn term will see UNISON branches across the UK...
Source: UNISON Health and safety news - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tags: Article Blogs UNISON voices Source Type: news