News Redundancies: ‘This is unjust’ THE merger of colleges in Greater Manchester resulted in the announcement of 104 redundancies within seven days. Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College (CMSFC) in Stockport joined up with the Trafford College Group in May. In April, NEU members took three days of strike action at CMSFC after being denied nationally agreed pay increases for the last two years, amounting to a 9.8 per cent loss of earnings. Members had agreed to temporarily delay further strike action after the merger to give the new employer the opportunity to consider and respond to their demands, but among the 104 redundancies were 29 at CMSFC. NEU rep Neil Griffiths said: “This is unjust. Covid has created a lot of stress on educators, and this is a kick in the teeth. Many staff are now looking for jobs elsewhere and, until we are paid fairly, that will continue to happen.”
Reps under threat keep jobs
Victory for Leaways strikers AFTER 22 days of strikes (pictured) by NEU members, staff at Leaways School in Hackney emerged victorious. Members at the special school in east London took action over their pay and conditions as well as the victimisation of their NEU rep (Educate, May/June, page 23). Thanks to fervent campaigning by members, the Kedelston Group which runs the school agreed to trade union recognition and the reinstatement of the rep, Iain Forsyth. Members also won on their terms and conditions, with an improved sick pay policy, the introduction of pay progression, and pay scales that mirror national agreements. Iain said: “Achieving the alignment to national pay scales, extra sick pay and union recognition is a small but significant start to ensuring that students in alternative provisions have the same access to education as students in mainstream schools. We are A young protestor at Peacehaven
TWO reps who faced possible dismissal after raising welfare concerns for other members have kept their jobs. In West Yorkshire, Louise Lewis had faced months of harassment from management after seeking to ensure vulnerable staff had appropriate risk assessments during the coronavirus pandemic. A senior member of staff at North Huddersfield Trust School for seven years, she was suspended after notifying the Health and Safety Executive about her concerns. Seven months later, and after four days of strike action by NEU colleagues, her suspension was lifted in May. Inner London national executive member Kirstie Paton faced disciplinary action from United Learning (UL). Kirstie used social media to raise concerns about the improper use of lateral flow tests at John Roan School where she is a health and safety rep. At a hearing in May, UL agreed not to dismiss her. Fellow school reps said: “It is vital that our reps can raise legitimate concerns, especially concerning our health, safety and welfare during a pandemic.” 12
excited the journey has begun.” In a joint statement the NEU and Kedelston Group said they were committed to working together to “build and maintain positive industrial relations at the school”. Iain added: “As a staff we are so pleased with the progress we’ve made and the support from the NEU. We have witnessed first-hand the power of sticking together as colleagues.”
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EDUCATION Secretary Gavin Williamson has described a school, where staff and parents have been battling against academisation since 2019, as being part of a voluntary “try before you buy” scheme. But campaigners at Peacehaven Heights and Telscombe Cliffs primary schools in East Sussex say this couldn’t be further from reality. “It would be better described as a hostile takeover,” said NEU East Sussex branch secretary Phil Clarke. Gavin Williamson told the Confederation of Schools Trust in April that Peacehaven was part of a system where schools could “temporarily partner” with an academy trust “to experience the benefits that would offer them”. NEU members have repeatedly made it clear that academisation is not welcome, but after the latest two strike days in May, the school’s interim executive board announced plans to continue consultation on academisation.
