JOINT President Louise Regan (left) joined National Education Union: NUT section members from Nottingham at the city’s Green Festival on 17 September. Campaigners on the Stand Up For Education stall gave out materials on school cuts and for more investment in our education service. Photo by Ivan Wels
Vote for new campaign fund MEMBERS of the National Education Union will soon be asked to vote on whether they wish to create a non-party political fund. The fund would support the Union’s work around influencing politicians at various events, opposing racism and fascism and encouraging people to register to vote. A postal ballot of eligible members, including NUT section, ATL section and new members, will run from 1-22 November. It will ask whether the Union should open a fund that will not be used to affiliate it to any political party. No party political affiliation Some 17 unions within the TUC – including education unions NASUWT and UCU and civil service union Prospect – have nonparty political funds to allow campaigns on issues that matter most to members. The Union is urging a YES vote in
November. A successful ballot means members will make a small payment towards the fund in addition to their subs. The move to hold a ballot, and the areas on which the funds can be spent, form part of the Union’s new rules. Opt in or opt out of fund Should a fund be agreed, members will be able to opt out of payment – more details will be made available at that time. The NUT established a political fund in 2008 following a ballot of members and this was revised in 2012 by a further ballot. NUT section members have been informed of the closure of the current fund, and the move to ballot for the new one, which will operate under the same terms as the previous NUT fund. Visit neu.org.uk/latest/ballot-creationnon-party-political-fund
Nominations open for Blair Peach award NOMINATIONS are being sought for the Union’s Blair Peach Award 2018. If you know a member making an exemplary contribution in any area of equality and diversity, why
not nominate them? The award is named after Blair Peach, past president of East London NUT, who was murdered during an anti-racist demonstration in 1979.
Contact your local association or division secretary, who must submit a nomination form before 15 December. For details, visit teachers.org.uk/equality/ equality-matters
News Strengthening ties TWO agreements on avoiding disputes and supporting music teaching have been agreed by the National Education Union (NEU). Formally signed at the TUC’s annual meeting in Brighton, the first agreement was with the National Association of Head Teachers. It sets out a commitment to work together to secure a good education for children and young people and to develop good working conditions for staff. In particular, it describes a protocol around the early resolution of potential disputes. The second, with the Musicians’ Union (MU), also signed at Congress, outlines a partnership to support each other’s members in promoting the education service in general and music teaching in particular. As part of their current membership, NEU teachers gain protection from the MU when involved in music events, while MU members are covered while teaching.
Award for Jonny
AN education activist from York is the winner of this year’s Fred & Anne Jarvis award. Jonny Crawshaw (pictured with Kevin Courtney), founder and spokesperson for the national parentled campaign Rescue Our Schools, received the award at the July meeting of the NUT executive. The award recognises the contribution of people outside the Union, who have campaigned on educational issues.
The Teacher: Nov/Dec 2017
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